A tense confrontation unfolded at the disputed Bhojshala monument in Mhow on Tuesday morning when officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) prevented Hindu devotees from bringing in a new portrait of Goddess Waghdevi for their weekly worship. The standoff quickly escalated, requiring police intervention to manage the rising tensions between the two sides.
The Core of the Controversy: A New Portrait vs. Old Rules
The heart of the dispute lies in the attempt to replace an old, deteriorating portrait with a new one. According to Gopal Sharma of the Bhojshala Sangharsh Samiti, the oil painting used for worship since 2003 was in very poor condition. In response, the community commissioned a new representation made of fibre plastic. "When we were taking it inside in the morning, the officials at the main gate prevented us," Sharma stated, calling the ASI's action unjust as they were merely substituting the old portrait.
However, ASI Mandu circle in-charge Prashant Patankar, who oversees the Dhar area, presented a different perspective. He clarified that the issue was not about barring a portrait but about the specific form of the new item. Patankar explained that the devotees were attempting to bring in a fibre plastic cut-out that resembled a statue, which deviated from the permitted format.
Invoking the 2003 Framework for Worship
Patankar cited a specific ASI order dated April 7, 2003, which governs access to the monument. "The order has clearly stated that a portrait made with oil paint will only be allowed to be taken inside Bhojshala and there would be no change on that issue," he emphasized. This order establishes the shared worship framework for the site: Muslims are permitted to offer namaz on Fridays between 1 pm and 3 pm, while Hindus can perform puja on Tuesdays.
Acting on this directive, ASI officials stopped the statue-like cut-out for violating the terms. The police subsequently took the new portrait into safe custody pending further orders. Left with no alternative, the devotees conducted their Tuesday worship without any portrait of the deity.
Aftermath and Planned Escalation
The ASI's decision triggered immediate backlash. Members of the Hindu community staged a day-long dharna (sit-in protest) outside the Bhojshala premises. Several community leaders arrived throughout the day to address the gathered protesters and register their strong opposition to the ASI's action.
The protest concluded in the evening, but not before the leaders resolved to take the matter further. They announced plans to formally raise the issue with the ASI authorities, seeking a resolution that would allow for the replacement of the ageing portrait while adhering to the site's regulatory framework. The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivities surrounding worship practices at the historically significant and disputed Bhojshala monument in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district.
