The Madhya Pradesh High Court has declared the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar district as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, marking a major development in the long-running dispute over the religious character of the site.
The court said the religious character of the disputed area is that of Bhojshala, which the Hindu side identifies as a Saraswati temple. The Muslim side has historically maintained that the complex functions as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
According to the ruling, the Muslim community may approach the state government for allotment of suitable land within Dhar district for construction of a mosque or prayer site.
The High Court also set aside an Archaeological Survey of India circular issued in 2003 that had permitted Muslims to offer prayers at the site on Fridays.
Long-running dispute over Bhojshala
The Bhojshala complex has remained at the centre of a decades-old dispute involving Hindu and Muslim groups. Hindus consider it a temple dedicated to Vagdevi or Goddess Saraswati and associate it with the era of Raja Bhoj. Muslims have maintained that the site has functioned as the Kamal Maula Mosque for centuries.
The matter gained renewed attention after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered a scientific survey of the site by the Archaeological Survey of India in 2024. The ASI later submitted a detailed report before the court regarding the historical and structural features of the complex.
Earlier this year, the High Court had also conducted a site inspection before continuing hearings in the matter.
Security arrangements have reportedly been tightened in Dhar following the verdict to maintain law and order.
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