For the first time in 23 years, namaz will not be offered at Bhojshala in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar this Friday, following a high court order on May 15 that declared the centuries-old monument a Saraswati temple and centre of Sanskrit learning. The order effectively ends the long-standing arrangement that had divided the site for worship between two communities.
Background of the Dispute
The arrangement dated back to a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India order, which allotted Tuesdays to Hindus for prayers and Fridays to Muslims for namaz at the complex. The high court struck down that order while directing the government to consider applications, if any, for allotting suitable land elsewhere for the construction of a mosque.
Hindu Celebrations and Planned Events
Hindu organisations have been celebrating the ruling for nearly a week and plan to mark this Friday with significant fanfare. Bhoj Utsav Samiti convenor Ashok Jain announced that a Maha Aarti would be performed at the complex on Friday. “Devotees will assemble at Dhanmandi Chowk and proceed in a peaceful procession to the temple, where traditional rituals and a grand aarti will be performed,” he said.
Security and Administrative Measures
Amid a strong undercurrent of tension, the administration is leaving nothing to chance, and heavy security has been deployed across the city. Dhar district collector Rajiv Ranjan Meena called a peace meeting and issued a firm advisory. “The high court directives will be followed in totality. Any activity not in accordance with those directives — including unauthorised religious events — will be treated as unlawful, and action will be taken against those responsible,” he said. He also warned residents to refrain from posting inflammatory content on social media, stating that such activity was being actively monitored.
SP Sachin Sharma said adequate police personnel had been deployed throughout Dhar, with particular focus on the Bhojshala complex and surrounding sensitive areas.
Petition for Free Entry
Meanwhile, Hindu Front for Justice — one of the original petitioners in the case — has filed an application with ASI seeking free entry for devotees at Bhojshala. Its district president Ashish Goyal argued that collecting even the existing Re 1 entry fee constituted “disobedience” of the high court order.
