Bhojshala Temple Verdict: MP High Court Declares Site a Saraswati Temple, Quashes ASI Namaz Permission

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 15, 2026, delivered a landmark verdict in the long-running Bhojshala dispute, declaring the centuries-old complex in Dhar district a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Maa Vagdevi). The division bench quashed the Archaeological Survey of India's 2003 circular that had permitted Muslims to offer Friday namaz at the site between 1 pm and 3 pm. The ruling, based on a detailed 2,200-page ASI survey report, formally recognises the Bhojshala complex as a temple and ends the decades-old dual-use arrangement that had governed the site.

Background of the Bhojshala Dispute in Dhar

The Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, has been at the centre of a religious dispute for decades. Hindu groups have long maintained that the structure is an ancient temple built during the reign of Raja Bhoj in the 11th century, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (also known as Vagdevi). Muslim groups, on the other hand, identified the site as the Kamal Maula Mosque. Since 2003, the ASI had managed the site under a shared arrangement: Hindus were permitted to worship on Tuesdays, while Muslims could offer namaz on Fridays between 1 pm and 3 pm. This arrangement satisfied neither community and led to recurring tensions and legal challenges over the years.

ASI Survey Findings and Archaeological Evidence

The High Court ordered a comprehensive archaeological survey of the Bhojshala complex by the ASI. The resulting report, spanning over 2,200 pages, was submitted to the court and formed the primary evidentiary basis for the ruling. The ASI survey uncovered temple remains, Sanskrit inscriptions, broken idol fragments, and several Hindu religious symbols within the structure. According to the report, the present structure was built using remains of earlier temples, and any mosque structure at the site was constructed at a later date using materials from those pre-existing temples. The archaeological evidence presented a clear picture of the site's original character as a Hindu place of worship, with subsequent structural modifications made during a different historical period.

Key Holdings of the Madhya Pradesh High Court

The division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court held that the Bhojshala complex is a temple of Maa Vagdevi and not a mosque structure. The court examined historical records, archaeological reports, and the ASI's detailed scientific findings before reaching its conclusion. First, the court formally declared the Bhojshala complex a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Second, it quashed the 2003 ASI circular that had permitted Muslims to offer Friday namaz at the site. Third, Hindus were granted the right to worship at the Bhojshala complex. Fourth, the court handed over the responsibility of preserving and managing the complex to the Archaeological Survey of India. The ruling effectively ends the dual-use arrangement that had governed the site for over two decades.

Legal Significance and Broader Implications

The Bhojshala verdict is significant in the broader context of religious site disputes in India. The ruling relies heavily on archaeological and scientific evidence rather than purely historical or oral claims, setting a precedent for how similar disputes may be adjudicated in the future. The case also highlights the role of the ASI as both a custodian and an investigative authority in heritage site disputes. The Muslim community has indicated it may seek alternate land for a mosque, and the possibility of an appeal to the Supreme Court remains open. Legal experts have noted that the verdict follows a pattern of courts increasingly relying on archaeological evidence in temple-mosque disputes, a trend that gained momentum following the Ayodhya verdict in 2019.

Key Takeaways from the Bhojshala Temple Ruling

The Bhojshala verdict has several practical implications. The site is now formally recognised as a Hindu temple, and the dual-use arrangement under the 2003 ASI circular stands quashed. Hindus have been granted full worship rights at the complex, while namaz will no longer be permitted inside the premises. The ASI retains its role as the custodian of the site, tasked with its preservation and management. The ruling may be challenged in the Supreme Court, and its long-term impact will depend on whether higher courts uphold or modify the findings. For now, the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision represents a definitive judicial determination of the Bhojshala complex's religious character based on archaeological evidence.