MP High Court Declares Bhojshala A Saraswati Temple Amid Worship Rights Dispute

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has delivered a major verdict in the long-running Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, holding that the disputed structure at Dhar possesses the religious character of Bhojshala, a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati. The Division Bench of Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi decided multiple petitions involving Hindu, Muslim, and Jain claims over worship rights and management of the protected monument.

The court examined historical records, inscriptions, archaeological material, gazetteers, and ASI documents while assessing the site’s religious identity. It referred to historical writings describing Bhojshala as a centre of Sanskrit learning established during the reign of Raja Bhoj. The judgment also discussed inscriptions connected with “Vagdevi” and archaeological findings including temple remains and sculptures recovered from the complex.

The Bench noted arguments that the disputed structure retained strong Hindu architectural and religious features despite later alterations during medieval rule. It also examined questions regarding waqf ownership and observed submissions that no valid waqf dedication over the land had been established.

The case further challenged the Archaeological Survey of India’s 2003 order regulating Hindu worship and Friday namaz timings within the protected premises. The judgment is expected to have far-reaching legal, religious, and political implications in Madhya Pradesh.