Bhojshala dispute: Muslim community prays at home after High Court rules the site as Hindu Temple

Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) [India], May 23 (ANI): Following a landmark verdict by the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court declaring the religious character of the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex as a temple of Goddess Saraswati, the local administration reported that the situation in Dhar remains completely peaceful.
In its judgment, the High Court quashed the 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrangement that had restricted Hindu worship inside the complex and permitted Friday prayers for the Muslim community. The Court has now directed the Union Government and the ASI to oversee the administration and management of the Bhojshala temple, maintaining overall control under the ASI Act of 1958.
Speaking to ANI, in the wake of the order, Abdul Samad, President of the Kamal Maula Welfare Society, emphasised that the Muslim community has strictly adhered to constitutional boundaries. He noted that while they had submitted an application requesting they not be stopped from offering prayers, the local administration intervened just ahead of the weekend, cancelling permissions after 4:00 PM on Thursday and issuing a peace advisory.
"Our protest has remained within constitutional limits," Samad told ANI. "For the sake of harmony, we cooperated and arranged Friday prayers in our homes and local mosques. In areas where mosques were unavailable, people prayed on rooftops and verandas. We will not do anything that hurts another's faith."
Samad expressed hope that the Supreme Court would eventually intervene to restore their traditional prayer rights.
Local authorities confirmed that judicial and ASI directives are being strictly implemented with no untoward incidents reported anywhere in the district.
Dhar City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sujawal Jagga assured that tight security arrangements ensured a peaceful day of worship.
Prayers were performed in accordance with the new directives. Friday namaz was peacefully offered in local mosques and residential properties. No incidents of conflict or disruption were recorded across the district.
"The directions of the High Court and ASI have been followed. Prayers were performed in the Bhojshala. Friday's namaz was also peacefully offered in the surrounding mosques. No incident of any kind has occurred anywhere", he said.

Meanwhile, the Indore Bench of the High Court held that the religious character of the disputed monument was that of Bhojshala, a temple of Goddess Saraswati.
"The religious character of the disputed area is held to be Bhojshala with a temple of Goddess Saraswati," the Court said.
The High Court further quashed the 2003 ASI arrangement "to the extent restricting the right of Hindus to worship within the Bhojshala complex and also the order permitting prayer by the Muslim community."
The Court directed that the Union Government and the ASI would take decisions regarding administration and management of the Bhojshala temple, while clarifying that the ASI would continue to exercise overall control and supervision over preservation, conservation and regulation of religious practices at the protected monument under the ASI Act, 1958. (ANI)