The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court is set to hear on Monday the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) request for an additional eight weeks to complete the scientific survey of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Dhar district.
The site, an ASI-protected 11th-century monument, is revered by Hindus as a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community identifies it as Kamal Maula mosque. Since April 7, 2003, under an ASI arrangement, Hindus conduct puja on Tuesdays and Muslims offer namaz on Fridays.
The 'Hindu Front for Justice' organisation contested this arrangement in the Indore bench of MP HC, leading to a March 11 order directing ASI to conduct a "scientific survey" of the complex within six weeks.
However, the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society contested this order. The scientific survey commenced on March 22.
Amidst the process, a Muslim representative alleged excavation within the complex, stressing adherence to Supreme Court guidelines to preserve the original structure.
On April 1, the Supreme Court said "no physical excavation should be taken that will change the character of the premises in question," while refusing to stay the "scientific survey" of Bhojshala.
In contrast, a Hindu representative supported ASI's plea for an extension, claiming the veracity of the disputed monument will be established and "important evidence" may come to light.
Gopal Sharma, of the 'Shri Maharaja Bhoj Seva Sansthan Samiti,' explained, "The foundation for the ASI survey has been laid over the past six weeks. Additional time could facilitate the use of advanced equipment like ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to unearth crucial evidence."
Sharma, a respondent in the PIL filed by 'Hindu Front for Justice,' pointed to visible remnants within 200 metres of Bhojshala, indicating past assaults on the complex.
Expressing concerns, Dhar City Qazi Waqar Sadiq urged impartiality in the survey process. He said, "The Supreme Court has already given directions that physical excavation, which would change the basic character of the Bhojshala complex, should not be done in the ASI survey."
"But recently, we saw two to three-foot pits dug on the floor located in the southern part of the complex. The ASI should survey this complex with complete impartiality and ensure the guidelines of the Supreme Court are followed," Sadiq emphasised.
The outcome of Monday's hearing will be closely watched as stakeholders await the next steps in resolving the dispute over Bhojshala's identity and usage.
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