A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) commenced a survey of the contentious Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex located in the tribal-dominated Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday.
The ASI team, consisting of over a dozen members, arrived at the complex in the morning, accompanied by senior local police and district administration officials.
"The survey at Bhojshala has begun. We have facilitated all logistical requirements for the ASI team to conduct the survey. Adequate security measures have been implemented to ensure peace in the town," stated Dhar Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh to PTI.
Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police presence at the site.
On March 11, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the ASI to conduct a 'scientific survey' of the Bhojshala complex within six weeks. This complex, a medieval-era monument, is believed by Hindus to be a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and by the Muslim community to be the Kamal Maula Mosque.
According to an ASI order issued on April 7, 2003, Hindus are permitted to worship inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday. Muslims are allowed to offer namaz at the site on Fridays.
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