MP: Dhar Bhojshala Dispute Case Reaches SC… Muslim Side Challenges HC Verdict

Dhar/New Delhi: The decision of the Madhya Pradesh High Court regarding the Dhar Bhojshala case has now been challenged in the Supreme Court. Qazi Moinuddin, representing the Muslim side, has approached the apex court. The Intizamia Committee of the Kamal Maula Mosque and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board were also parties and advocates in this matter before the High Court.

While declaring the complex to be a temple of Goddess Saraswati—also known as Vagdevi—the High Court had revoked the permission granted to the Muslim community to offer the weekly Friday prayers (Juma Namaz) within the premises. In its historic verdict, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had unequivocally recognized the Kamal Maula Mosque complex, situated within the Bhojshala premises, as a temple of Goddess Saraswati.

The Court set aside the 2003 order of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), under which the Muslim community had been granted permission to offer prayers every Friday. Furthermore, the Muslim side was advised to look for a separate plot of land for the mosque.

The Muslim side has challenged this High Court verdict in the Supreme Court. They allege that this judgment runs contrary to archaeological evidence as well as the fundamental spirit of the Places of Worship Act, 1991.

The Hindu side had filed a caveat in the Supreme Court immediately after the verdict was delivered. Anticipating that the Muslim side would approach the Supreme Court, the Hindu litigants had already filed a ‘caveat’ petition in the apex court. This petition requests that the Court refrain from passing any ex-parte (unilateral) orders without first hearing the arguments of the Hindu side.