The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun its investigation of the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's tribal-dominated Dhar district today.
The ASI crew of five members, arrived at the property in the morning. The delegation was joined by senior local police and district administration officials. They conducted a scientific survey of the place and would submit the report to Indore High Court.
How did the controversy start?
The tomb of Kamal al-Din, a Chishti saint and follower of Farid-al Din Ganj-i-Shakar and Nizam al-Din Auliya, was built adjacent to a vast hypostyle mosque "built primarily of reused temple parts" in the heart of Dhar city.
Until April 2003, Hindus were only allowed to enter the compound on the day of Basant Panchami, while Muslims may offer namaz inside for two hours on Friday.
What is the controversy?
On March 11 a ruling by the Madhya Pradesh High Court mandating ASI to conduct a "scientific survey" of the Bhojshala complex, a medieval-era landmark that Hindus believe is a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and which Muslims refer to as Kamal Maula Mosque. The court stated that the nature and character of the complex needed to be "demystified and freed from the shackles of confusion".
As per ASI order on April 7, 2003, Hindus can pray inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims can offer namaz there on Fridays.
In a letter to the Indore divisional commissioner, as well as the collector and superintendent of police in Dhar, ASI additional director general Alok Tripathi requested that local authorities provide safe access to the site in accordance with the HC's Indore bench's order to conduct a "archaeological survey/scientific investigation/excavation" of the site.
On the other hand, shortly before the 2003 Assembly elections, the BJP government in the state, with ASI consent, reopened the complex for Hindus on Tuesdays and Basant Panchami.
However, the order became problematic when Basant Panchami fell on Fridays in 2006, 2013 and 2016, leading to further commotion.
The complex, according to right-wing organizations, is a temple dedicated to the goddess Vagdevi, also known as Saraswati. It was constructed between 1000 and 1055 AD by King Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty, whose unwavering dedication to enlightenment and scholarship was demonstrated by the founding of a prestigious college in Dhar, which later became the well-known Bhojshala.
Bhojshala's pillars feature statues of Hindu gods and goddesses. Lotus has long been a symbol of Indian culture, and eight lotuses can be found on the roof above the pillars.
One of the petitioners in the case, Ashish Goyal, who was present with surveyors, informed reporters that the ASI team worked till midday and then left the area for the day.
He said, muslims and hindus both see this place as an establishment of worship.
Manoj Kumar Singh, the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Dhar, responded that "puja" on Tuesdays and "namaz" on Fridays would take place as usual when asked if Muslims would be permitted to say prayers at the location.
The SP promised to talk to ASI representatives about the issue and make suitable preparations for the religious events, based on PTI reports.
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