Muslim side moves SC challenging Madhya Pradesh HC order in Bhojshala complex dispute case

The Muslim side has challenged a Madhya Pradesh High Court order declaring the Bhojshala complex a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, claiming it is a mosque.

The Muslim side on Thursday moved the Supreme Court challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court order, which said the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district of the state was a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.

The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslim side calls the 11th-century monument the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex in Dhar district is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The appeal filed by the mosque's caretaker, Qazi Moinuddin, has challenged the May 15 order of the high court.

In a huge win for the Hindu side, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared that the disputed Bhojshala complex was a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, and the Centre and the ASI can decide on its administration and management.

The high court also quashed an April 7, 2003, order of the ASI that allowed Muslims to offer namaz inside the Bhojshala complex every Friday.

The high court bench hearing the case also said that the Muslim community may approach the Madhya Pradesh government for the allotment of separate land in the district for the construction of a mosque.

In its much-awaited verdict, the high court observed that there were indications of a Sanskrit teaching centre and a temple of Goddess Saraswati existing in the Bhojshala complex.