Hindus consider Bhojshala to be the temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati). At the same time, the Muslim community considers it as Kamal Maula Masjid. This 11th century complex is considered an archaeological heritage. ASI had made an arrangement on 7 April 2003. Under this, Hindus come here every Tuesday and worship. At the same time, Muslims offer namaz here on Friday.
Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society has challenged the March 11 scientific survey order of the Indore Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court in the Supreme Court. On this, the bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and PK Mishra has issued notices to the Centre, Madhya Pradesh government, ASI and others. The bench said that notice for reply should be issued within four weeks. No decision should be taken based on the results of the survey without the permission of the Supreme Court. It is also made clear that there will be no physical excavation in the disputed premises, which changes the character of that premises.
11th day of survey
On the orders of Madhya Pradesh High Court, the survey continued for the 11th day on Monday in Bhojshala. Senior ASI officers reached the disputed site at 7.55 am. The police have taken the entire arrangement into their hands. Appropriate security arrangements have been made.
Bhojshala, located in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, has been in controversy for a long time. There are Hindu-Muslim differences regarding this 800 year old Bhojshala. According to Hindus, Bhojshala means the temple of Saraswati. Muslims call it an old place of worship. People of Hindu organization tell that the historical Bhojshala of Dhar is clear from its name itself that it is Saraswati Sadan established by Raja Bhoj, there used to be a big institute of education here 1000 years ago. Later, during the dynasty period, the Muslim community was allowed to offer namaz here, because this building was lying unused. Nearby is the shrine of Sufi saint Kamal Maulana. In such a situation, he has been doing the work of offering Namaz in the Muslim community for a long time. As a result, they claim that this is not a banquet hall but the Dargah of Kamal Maulana.
Hindu society claims that this is not a Dargah but Saraswati Sadan Bhojshala established during the period of Raja Bhoj. There is evidence in history that the British took away the statue of Mother Saraswati from here, which is currently safe in the London Museum. The controversy is said to have started from 1902, when Dhar’s Education Superintendent Kashiram Lele saw Sanskrit verses engraved on the floor of the mosque and described it as a banquet hall. The second phase of the dispute came in 1935, when Dhar Maharaj hung a plaque outside the building on which Bhojshala and Masjid Kamal Maulana was written. After independence, this issue also passed through political circles. Hindus protested against going to the temple. Whenever Vasant Panchami and Friday coincide, tension increases. Due to controversies, it is also called Ayodhya of the area.
According to historians, the Mughals invaded the country in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1456, Mahmud Khilji built the tomb and dargah of Maulana Kamaluddin in Bhojshala. Besides, the ancient Saraswati Temple Bhojshala was demolished and its remains were converted into a Bhojshala. Even today, ancient Hindu Sanatani remains are clearly visible in Bhojshala. Since then, the controversy regarding the liberation of Bhojshala continues. During the survey conducted during the rule of the British, during the excavation done here, the statue of Mata Saraswati Vagdevi, previously installed in Bhojshala, was found, which they later took with them. The Bhojshala, which remained deserted for centuries and amidst controversy, used to fill grass and fodder for the horses of the royal family during the princely times. Meanwhile, the health of the then king of Dhar, Anand Rao Pawar IV, deteriorated. When his health did not improve, the Muslim community asked for a place in the banquet hall, asking for prayers. The then Diwan Khanderao Natkar had given permission to the Muslim community to offer Namaz in Bhojshala in 1933. At the same time, Hindu society kept organizing events here every year on Basant Panchami.
The then Digvijay government issued a one-sided order
The Bhojshala dispute escalated into a legal battle. The incident in 1995 made things worse. The administration allowed Hindus to offer worship on Tuesday and Muslims to offer Namaz on Friday. In 1997, the administration banned the entry of common citizens into Bhojshala. During this period, Hindus were allowed to offer namaz once a year on Basant Panchami and Muslims were allowed to offer namaz every Friday from 1 to 3 pm. On 6 February 1998, the Archaeological Department banned entry into Bhojshala until further orders, but Muslims continued to be allowed to offer namaz. The controversy deepened further due to this one-sided order issued by the then Chief Minister Digvijay Singh’s government. Through the court, Hindus got permission to worship again in 2003 and paid banquet hall was also opened for tourists. Since then, the court battle regarding Bhojshala is going on continuously. Every year on Basant Panchami, Hindu society organizes programs here. But, due to Basant Panchami falling on Friday, sometimes disputes arise. In such a situation, the entire Dhar district is under tension.
