Madhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Temple in July 2024

Key facts

• The Madhya Pradesh High Court (MPHC) declared the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district as a temple and a centre of Sanskrit learning associated with King Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty.
• The court quashed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) circular dated 7 April 2003, which previously allowed the offering of namaz at the disputed site.
• A 98-day scientific survey conducted by the ASI recovered 1,710 relics, including 39 broken idols, Nagakarnika inscriptions, and symbols associated with Sanatan Dharma.
• The Bhojshala complex is dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) by Hindus, while the Muslim side identifies the location as the Kamal Maula mosque.
• The MPHC directed the state government to provide alternate land for the mosque and to consider the repatriation of the Vagdevi idol currently located in a London museum.