Madhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Temple

The Madhya Pradesh High Court, Indore Bench, declared the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district a temple on 15 May 2026. The Bench of Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi held that the religious character of the disputed structure is that of a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, also called Vagdevi.

Bhojshala Complex and Dispute

Bhojshala is a disputed religious site in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The site has been the subject of petitions seeking Hindu worship rights and restrictions on Muslim prayers inside the complex. The Hindu Front for Justice was among the petitioners in the case.

Archaeological Survey of India and Earlier Orders

The High Court quashed the 2003 order of the Archaeological Survey of India that had restricted Hindu worship rights and permitted the Muslim community to offer prayers. The Archaeological Survey of India conducted a scientific survey of the complex between 22 March and 30 June 2024. The survey report stated that the existing structure was made from parts of earlier temples.

Historical and Religious References

The court referred to historical literature and archaeological references that described the site as a centre of Sanskrit learning. The same references linked the site with a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Bhojshala is also known in legal and historical records as the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex.

Supreme Court Proceedings and Administration

The Supreme Court ordered status quo at the site in January 2024 until the dispute is adjudicated. In May 2024, the Supreme Court refused to stay the Archaeological Survey of India survey at the complex. The High Court stated that the Archaeological Survey of India will continue overall administration and management of the property.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Archaeological Survey of India is the central agency under the Ministry of Culture that protects monuments and archaeological sites in India.
• Goddess Saraswati is associated with learning, knowledge, music, and speech in Hindu tradition.
• Dhar district is located in western Madhya Pradesh and contains several historically important sites.
• Status quo is a legal order that preserves the existing condition of a disputed property until final adjudication.