In one of the important judgements of recent times, Madhya Pradesh High court has declared that the disputed historical site at Bhojshala is a Temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
Allowing a writ petitions filed by the Hindu Front for Justice and others, a bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi said :
"We have noted the continuity of the Hindu worship at the site, though regulated overtime...We record finding that historical literature of the place establishes as a centre of Sanskrit learning associated with Raja Bhoj...it indicates the existence of Temple dedicated to Goddess Sarawsati at Dhar...Therefore, the religious character of the area is held to be Bhojshala with temple of Goddess Vagdevi Saraswati."
The Court quashed an order passed by the Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) in 2003 to the extent that it restricted the rights of Hindu to worship within the complex and allowed the Muslim community to offer namaz there.
The complex under the management of ASI has been a cause of dispute. Hindus claim that it was originally a temple of Goddesses Saraswati attributed to have been constructed by Raja Bhoja and was a great center for learning Sanskrit. Later it was destructed to pave a way for the mosque. Muslims however believe that this had always been a mosque with no evidence of ever destruction of a temple.
In 2003, ASI had permitted Hindus to offer Puja on Tuesdays while Muslims to perform Namaz on Fridays
In 2024, ASI had found many idols related to Hindu worship and Sanskrit learning center.
The current verdict clearly mentions that it was inarguably a temple of Devi Saraswati and said "The Government of India may consider their representations to bring back the Pratima of Goddess Saraswati from the London Museum and reestablish the same within the complex".
The Central government and the ASI have been directed to take a decision for the administration and management of the Bhojshala temple and the Sanskrit learning within the property. The ASI will continue to have the overall administration of the property.
Also in order to secure the religious rights of the Muslim community, the Court allowed them to submit an application for the allotment of suitable land within Dhar district for the construction of a mosque. If such an application is made, the State may consider said application per the law.
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