New Delhi: In the contentious Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex located in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district, Hindus offered prayers on Tuesday amidst a continued survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), as mandated by the court. According to an ASI order dating back to April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to worship inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are granted access to offer namaz at the site on Fridays.
Hindu devotees arrived at the historical complex as early as 7:15 am before the start of the survey. The Madhya Pradesh High Court, on March 11, issued a directive to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a 'scientific survey' of the Bhojshala complex within a six-week timeframe The complex with medieval origins regarded differently by Hindus and Muslims. Hindus revere it as the temple of Goddess Vagdevi, also known as Saraswati, while the Muslim community refers to it as Kamal Maula Mosque, reported news agency PTI.
In compliance with the court's order, the ASI team, accompanied by senior police and administrative officials, initiated the survey on March 22 at the disputed complex situated in the tribal-dominated district.
ALSO READ| 5 Chinese Nationals Killed In Suicide Attack In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Balveer Singh, vice president of Bhoj Utsav Samiti, said that the ASI survey will bring out a bette resolution to the dispute. He claimed the belief held by many Hindus that the site is dedicated to Maa Saraswati and advocated for its restoration to Hindu ownership. Earlier, noted archaeologist K K Muhammed had also claimed the contentious complex was a Saraswati temple and later converted into an Islamic place of worship.
Hindu tradition holds that Raja Bhoj, a Hindu king, installed the statue of Vagdevi within the premises of Bhojshala in 1034 AD. However, Hindu groups assert that the statue was removed from Bhojshala by the British in 1875 and taken to London. The dispute reached the court as the Basant Panchami fell on February 15.