Bhojshala Survey: ASI Submits Report to Madhya Pradesh HC

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted its scientific survey report on the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal-Maula mosque complex to the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday, (July 15).

ASI’s counsel, Himanshu Joshi, delivered the extensive report, comprising more than 2,000 pages, to the High Court’s registry. The Court is scheduled to hear the matter on July 22, 2024.

On July 4, the Court had directed the ASI, India’s premier agency for archaeological research and cultural heritage protection, to present the complete report by July 15, following a nearly three-month-long survey of the 11th-century monument that lies at the center of a dispute between Hindus and Muslims. The Hindu community regards Bhojshala as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim side identifies it as the Kamal Maula mosque.

The High Court on March 11, instructed the ASI, to conduct a scientific survey of the complex in response to an application by the ‘Hindu Front for Justice.’ Initially, the ASI was allotted six weeks to complete the survey but later requested additional time for report submission.

The ASI commenced the survey of the disputed complex on March 22, and the survey recently concluded. On April 7, 2003, the ASI issued an order concerning access to the monument following a controversy.

According to this order, which has been in effect for the past 21 years, Hindus are permitted to worship at Bhojshala on Tuesdays, while Muslims can offer namaz at the site on Fridays. The Hindu Front for Justice has challenged this arrangement in its petition.