More than 1,500 police personnel, backed by drones and CCTV cameras, were deployed around Bhoshala area in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district ahead of the first Friday since the Supreme Court ruling declared the site a Vagdevi temple, officials said on Thursday.
The Bhuj Utsav Samiti called on members of the Hindu community to gather for a mass ‘Akhand Puja’ at the 11th-century Bhoshala complex on Friday, claiming it would be the first such occasion in 721 years.
The district administration called for peace and strict adherence to the court orders.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 15 ruled that the disputed Bhoshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex was a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and quashed an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order that allowed Muslims to offer prayers at the site on Fridays.
Before the ruling, Hindus were only allowed to worship at the medieval monument on Tuesday, while Muslims had performed Friday prayers there for years. Both communities have demanded the structure.
Dhar Superintendent of Police Sachin Sharma told PTI that a nine-layer security system, including vehicle checking, mobile patrolling, CCTV surveillance and drone surveillance, has been put in place in and around the complex.
Following the court ruling, Hindu organizations held a “victory celebration,” including prayers and fireworks, at the complex on Tuesday.
A peace committee meeting was held on Wednesday in the presence of Collector Rajiv Ranjan Meena and SP Sharma.
Officials said the Supreme Court’s directions would be implemented “in letter and spirit” and appealed to people not to pay attention to rumours or provocative posts on social media.
He said the authorities would ensure that no new religious activity or tradition, which was not permitted earlier, would start at the site.
Members of the Hindu community will gather at Dhan Mandi Square on Friday noon and later proceed in a procession to Bhoshala for ‘Maha Aarti’, said Ashok Jain, patron of Bhuj Utsav Samiti.
“This Friday has come after 721 years and is linked to our self-respect. The entire Hindu community will offer prayers on Bhoshala,” Jain said.
He claimed that Hindus had faced restrictions and conflicts over worshiping at the site for decades, especially when Basant Panchami fell on Friday.
