Muslim petitioners on Friday said they would move the Supreme Court challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s decision to declare the disputed Bhoshala-Kamal Maula Masjid complex in Dhar district a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, even as BJP leaders and Hindu organizations celebrated the ruling across the state.
The Pakistani News Agency quoted the Muslim side’s lawyer, Ashar Warsi, as saying: “We are not satisfied with the Supreme Court’s decision. We will appeal it before the Supreme Court as soon as possible.”
He added that the scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India and its report, upon which the SC relied, were “flawed”.
The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the religious character of the Bhoshala building as a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), in a judgment that built, to a notable extent, on the principles of the Supreme Court’s 2019 Ayodhya judgment. It also revoked the order issued on April 7, 2003 by the Muslim Muslim Association, which had allowed Muslims to perform prayers in the building every Friday.
Warsi said the Muslim side hopes the Supreme Court will consider its arguments and restore permission to perform prayers at the site.
The ruling also sparked sharp reactions from opposition parties.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also criticized the ruling in a post on
Congress MLA Arif Masood said the ruling relied heavily on the survey report conducted by ASI, which the mosque committee had earlier questioned.
The CPI(ML) said the ruling goes against the “spirit of the Places of Worship Act”.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma described the SC’s decision as a victory for Hinduism. “The invaders destroyed temples and burned sacred texts. The ruling restored respect for religious places and gods and goddesses.”
BJP spokesperson RB Singh said the ruling was based on the evidence presented before the court. He told news agencies: “The Department of Antiquities provided facts and evidence proving that it is a temple of Goddess Saraswati, and the entire country welcomes it.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Hindu Front for Justice member and petitioner Ashish Goyal said, “We welcome the decision. There has been long supported evidence of Bhoshala’s identity as a Sanskrit school and a Saraswati temple. Now, the next target is to bring back the idol of Goddess Saraswati from London,” while urging people not to post objectionable content on social media.
After the verdict, security measures were tightened across Dhar district, officials said. Bhojshala buildings were sealed, barricades erected and police forces deployed heavily.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma said, “A 12-layer security arrangement has been created across Dhar city, with CRPF and Rapid Action Force on alert. Prohibitory orders will remain in force till June 5.”
