The Muslim side raises allegations of unauthorised inclusion of unauthorised objects during the survey proceedings
INDORE – The long-standing dispute over the Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar has taken a fresh turn after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted its survey report before the state high court.
The report has led to renewed debate, with the Muslim side questioning the survey process and alleging that unauthorised objects were included, while the petitioners have claimed that the findings support their argument that the structure is a temple built during the Paramara period.
The high court bench has directed all parties to file their objections to the ASI report within the stipulated time.
Abdul Samad, President of the Kamal Maula Welfare Society, said the ASI report does not favour any one community and that history had already been recorded.
“The ASI report is neither in favour nor against anyone,” he said. “The historical facts are already documented. We will present our objections before the court.”
He said that under the petition filed by Dr Subramanian Swamy, the building structure had been described as a monument dating back to around 1300 AD and constructed using material from another structure.
“What has been written in the ASI survey report matches the same historical record. We will rely on that basis in court,” he said.
However, Abdul Samad also made serious allegations regarding the survey process. He claimed that certain items had been placed inside the monument through the back entrance in an unauthorised manner and should not have been included in the survey findings.
“Those items were kept there without authorisation. They should not have been part of the survey, but the ASI has included them,” he alleged.
He added that objections had been raised earlier as well. “We had filed objections in 2003, too. We have consistently opposed any irregularities. The court has now given us time, and we will submit our objections within the deadline.”
On the other hand, Ashish Goyal, State Vice-President of Hindu Front for Justice and one of the petitioners in the case, said there was a sense of satisfaction among members of the Hindu community over the high court proceedings.
“The survey has made it clear that Bhojshala was constructed by Raja Bhoj and that the structure belongs to the Paramara period,” he claimed.
He further said that several pieces of evidence were found during the survey, which, according to him, indicate that the site is a Hindu temple.
“Idols of Hindu deities have been found. There are signs inside the structure which show it is a temple,” he said. “The report has made this clear.”
Goyal also expressed confidence about the outcome of the case. “Soon Bhojshala will be handed over to the Hindu community. There will be Hindu control, and Maa Vagdevi will be reinstalled,” he said.
The Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Mosque site in Dhar has been a matter of dispute for years. Hindus believe the structure to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, also known as Saraswati, built by Raja Bhoj. The Muslim community regards it as the Kamal Maula Mosque, where prayers have been offered for centuries.
The ASI survey was ordered to examine the historical and structural aspects of the site. With the report now before the high court, legal arguments are expected to focus on its interpretation and validity.
For now, the matter remains under judicial consideration, and the court’s next steps will depend on the objections filed by both sides.
