Bhojshala was a Saraswati temple. ASI continues survey according to High Court order.

ASI continues survey at Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh for fourth day.

This is Ma Saraswati’s mandir at Bhojshala. The survey is being conducted so that those who do not understand this, are convinced after this survey,” Ashish Goyal said.

The Bhojshala Mosque interior views – Dhar, India, 1912. (Photo by Vernon & Co./Royal Geographical Society via Getty Images)

ANI | Dhar | March 25, 29024:: The survey at the Bhojshala complex in the Dhar district here continued for the fourth day on Monday. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrived at the Bhojshala Complex in Dhar to continue the survey as per the directions of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

The ASI began an archaeological survey of the Bhojshala Complex on March 22.

For Hindus, the Bhojshala Complex is a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while for Muslims, it is the site of the Kamal Maula mosque. As per an arrangement in 2003, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays from sunrise to sunset, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Earlier on Saturday, Ashish Goyal, a worker from the Hindu Front for Justice who was one of the petitioners in the case, said, “They are doing the survey efficiently throughout the day using carbon dating, GPS technology, and GPR technology. They conducted the survey inside as well as outside throughout the 50-metre stretch, as instructed by the court.”

Stressing the Hindu side’s claim on the Bhojshala complex, Goyal said, “This is Ma Saraswati’s mandir at Bhojshala. The survey is being conducted so that those who do not understand this, are convinced after this survey.”

Expressing hope of a positive outcome from the ASI survey, Goyal said, “The ASI is conducting the survey scientifically. We are hopeful that we will get a positive outcome. The ASI is working as per the directions of the court.”

Meanwhile, Abdul Samad, the petitioner for the Muslim side, said he disagreed with the exercise as directed by the high court.

“This survey was not necessary as a similar exercise had been conducted previously and the report is in the public domain. We are against this new survey, as several new things have started here since the last survey. There have been some changes to the monument as well. We have already voiced our misgivings over these changes,” the petitioner told ANI.

“Seeing such changes and new activities in the complex, we moved the high court urging that if they allow such movement (of people from the Hindu community) inside the monument, they should lay down proper guidelines on things that could be carried inside,” he added.

Bhojshala was Saraswati temple but both sides should abide by HC decision: Archaeologist K K Muhammed.

The Bhojshala Mosque interior – Dhar, India, 1912. (Photo by Vernon & Co./Royal Geographical Society via Getty Images)

PTI | Gwalior | March 25, 2024:: Noted archaeologist K K Muhammed has claimed the contentious Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district was a Saraswati temple and later converted into an Islamic place of worship.

He stressed that Hindus and Muslims should abide by the court’s decision and honour the Places of Worship Act 1991, and sit together to iron out differences over such places.

Muslims should also respect the sentiments of Hindus over Mathura and Kashi, he said on Sunday.

Following directives from the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is carrying out a survey of the disputed Bhojshala complex in MP’s tribal-dominated district.

Hindus believe it is a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and the Muslim community calls Kamal Maula Mosque.

“The historical fact about Dhar (Bhojshala) is that it was a Saraswati temple. It was converted into an Islamic mosque. But as per the Places of Worship Act 1991, the cut-off year is 1947. If it was a temple in 1947 then it is a temple and if it a temple in 1947 then it is a temple and if it was a mosque, then it is a mosque,” said Muhammed, a former ASI official.

Muhammed was part of the first excavation team led by Professor B B Lal at Ayodhya in 1976-77. The Padma Shri awardee had earlier claimed to have first witnessed the remains of a Ram temple under the Babri masjid.

“Both sides should stick to the Act. The High Court will take a decision considering all facts. All should follow it (HC decision) as that will be the only solution,” he said.

There is no doubt the complex was a Saraswati temple, Muhammed said. He advised both sides not to do anything that could ‘create problems for all’.

On March 11, the HC had directed the ASI to carry out within six weeks a ‘scientific survey’ of the Bhojshala complex, a medieval-era monument. Sunday was the third day of the survey.

As per an ASI order of April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to worship inside the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are allowed to offer namaz at the site on Fridays.

In reply to another question, Muhammed said that Mathura and Kashi are as important for Hindus as Mecca and Madinah are for Muslims.

“Muslims should understand the sentiments of Hindus. Kashi is associated with Lord Shiva and Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The Hindus can’t shift them to other places but these are only mosques for Muslims, which are neither directly associated with Prophet Mohammed nor ‘aulias’. They (mosques) can be shifted elsewhere,” he said.

The eminent archaeologist said both communities should sit together to find a solution in these matters.

“The Hindus should also consider that they should not come with a list (of places of worship). We need to strengthen the country and take it forward and they (both communities) should sit together (for this),” he said.

It will be a big problem if both sides do not sort out the disputes, he cautioned.
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Courtesy: ANI, PTI, and Getty Images..