Supreme Court Petition Challenges High Court Ruling on Bhojshala Complex
A legal dispute over the Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh has escalated to the Supreme Court, following a High Court ruling that deemed the site a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The Muslim community, which refers to the site as Kamal Maula Mosque, has challenged this decision. The High Court's ruling also annulled a previous order allowing Friday prayers at the site, suggesting that the Muslim community could seek alternative land for a mosque. This case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding religious sites in India.
| May 22, 2026, 12:56 IST
Legal Battle Over Bhojshala Complex
The Muslim community has filed a petition in the Supreme Court contesting a ruling from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which declared that the disputed Bhojshala site in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. While the Hindu community regards Bhojshala as a temple, the Muslim community refers to this 11th-century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. This contentious site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The appeal was lodged by the mosque's caretaker, Qazi Moinuddin, challenging the High Court's order issued on May 15. In a significant victory for the Hindu side, the Madhya Pradesh High Court affirmed that the Bhojshala complex is indeed a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, allowing the central government and ASI to make decisions regarding its administration and management.
High Court's Decision on ASI Orders
The High Court also annulled an ASI order from April 7, 2003, which permitted Muslims to perform prayers inside the Bhojshala complex every Friday. The bench hearing the case indicated that the Muslim community could approach the Madhya Pradesh government for separate land allocation to construct a mosque. In its long-awaited judgment, the High Court noted evidence of a Sanskrit learning center and the existence of a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati within the Bhojshala complex.