India

SC Halts ASI Excavation at Bhojshala Monument Amid Religious Identity Dispute

The Supreme Court issued a directive on Monday, restraining the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from conducting excavations during its scientific survey of Bhojshala, a protected 11th-century monument located in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district. The court specified that no actions should be taken based on the ASI report without its prior permission.

Bhojshala holds significance for Hindus, who consider it a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while Muslims refer to it as Kamal Maula Mosque.

The Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, responsible for managing the mosque situated within the Bhojshala premises, approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order on March 11, which mandated the survey.

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Madhya Pradesh government, ASI, and the Hindu petitioners within four weeks. A bench comprising justices Hrishikesh Roy and PK Mishra emphasized that no physical excavation should be carried out that would alter the nature of the premises under question.

Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, representing the welfare society, highlighted to the Supreme Court that the survey was initiated without hearing the Muslim side, expressing concerns that it could result in permanent damage to the monument.

Additional solicitor-general KM Nataraj, representing the state, informed the court that the survey had commenced on March 22.

The Muslim petitioners argued that the survey could lead to the production of new evidence, while senior advocate Ardhendumauli Kumar Prasad, representing the Hindu petitioners, asserted that the survey aimed solely to ascertain the religious identity of the monument.

In May 2022, the Hindu Front for Justice filed a petition in the high court against the holding of Namaz (Islamic prayers) at Bhojshala. They requested a survey to determine the “true religious identity” of the site. The court permitted ASI to conduct the survey based on evidence presented by the petitioners, which included coloured photographs of pillars with Sanskrit inscriptions.

Since April 2003, ASI has allowed Hindus to perform puja (ritual worship) at Bhojshala every Tuesday and permitted Muslims to offer Namaz in the complex on Fridays.

Also Read: Congress Receives Temporary Relief as Income Tax Department Holds Off Coercive Measures Until July 24

Malika Sahni

Recent Posts

Pakistan’s Digital Frontline: Jokes, Memes And Savage Self-Roasts

While tensions between India and Pakistan escalate post the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, something unexpected…

29 mins ago

Reliance Industries Q4 Net Profit Rises 6.4% As Retail And Digital Units Offset Energy Weakness

Reliance Industries delivered a strong Q4 FY25 performance, with Y-o-Y net profit rising 6.4% to…

38 mins ago

Yash Pratap Singh And Mehak Jaiswal Top UP Board Exams With Outstanding Scores

Yash Pratap Singh of Jalaun tops Class 10 with 97.83%, while Prayagraj’s Mehak Jaiswal secures…

42 mins ago

Yogi Adityanath Calls For Reforms To Make Madrasa Education Modern And Employment-Oriented

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday emphasised the need for sweeping reforms in the madrasa…

2 hours ago

Tulsi Gabbard Backs India’s Hunt For Pahalgam Terror Attack Perpetrators

United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard on Friday expressed strong support for…

2 hours ago

World Leaders Head To Rome For funeral Of Pope Francis

Indian President Droupadi Murmu will also attend, representing India alongside Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister…

3 hours ago