Muslim Side Tells Madhya Pradesh High Court Bhojshala Complex Historically Recorded as Mosque

The Muslim side in the ongoing Bhojshala dispute informed the Madhya Pradesh High Court that the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex has historically been recorded as a “mosque” in revenue records and that available historical sources do not clearly mention the existence of a Saraswati temple established by Raja Bhoj.

The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex, located in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

While the Hindu community considers Bhojshala to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Muslim side identifies the 11th-century structure as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

The matter came up for hearing before the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi.

During the proceedings, Qazi Moinuddin, who claims to be a descendant of Sufi saint Maulana Kamaluddin Chishti and the spiritual head (Sajjadanashin) of the shrine, questioned two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by Hindu groups seeking exclusive Hindu worship rights at the disputed site.

The PILs were filed by Hindu Front for Justice, Kuldeep Tiwari, and another petitioner, asserting that Bhojshala is fundamentally a Saraswati temple.

Representing Qazi Moinuddin, advocate Noor Ahmed Sheikh argued before the court that the descendants of Maulana Kamaluddin Chishti have historically held rights over the complex and that government revenue records consistently described the structure as a mosque.

He further contended that those managing the Kamal Maula Mosque have remained in “continuous and peaceful occupation” of the site for a long period.

Citing principles under Muslim law, Sheikh argued that individuals such as the Sajjadanashin and Mutawalli, along with their descendants, possess rights to manage and oversee religious properties including mosques and Waqf-related structures.

The Muslim side also referred to provisions under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904, stating that the law recognizes the rights of parties who have long been “in charge” of a protected property.

Meanwhile, advocate Touseef Warsi, appearing for the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society of Dhar, alleged that Hindu petitioners had presented “misleading representations” regarding historical facts before the High Court.

He claimed that available historical documents do not clearly establish the existence of a Saraswati temple built by Raja Bhoj, the Parmar dynasty ruler who governed Dhar between 1010 and 1055.

Warsi also raised concerns regarding the Archaeological Survey of India’s handling of the matter, alleging that the ASI had taken different and changing positions in multiple lawsuits connected to the Bhojshala dispute.

He further objected to the methodology adopted during the ASI’s scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex conducted in 2024 following High Court directions, including the process of videography carried out during the survey.

The lawyer requested the court to examine these objections during the ongoing proceedings.

The High Court is currently hearing four petitions and one writ appeal related to the religious character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex, and the matter is scheduled to continue on Thursday.