Continued Dispute Over Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has postponed the hearing on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex dispute following a recent Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report. The High Court will resume hearing after a Supreme Court decision. The complex is claimed by both Hindu and Muslim communities.

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has adjourned the hearing on the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Dhar district. This follows the submission of a scientific survey report by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) last week.

A division bench of Justice S. A. Dharmadhikari and D. V. Ramana stated that they would hear the matter once the Supreme Court issues an order, according to ASI's counsel Himanshu Joshi. The Supreme Court had agreed on July 15 to consider listing a plea against the ASI's survey, filed by the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, challenging the High Court's previous order.

The High Court indicated that it would consider intervener applications at the final argument stage to avoid prolonging the case. Joshi said, 'The HC will start hearing on the ASI report once the direction from the Supreme Court comes. It said let the order from the Supreme Court come thereafter, we will hear the matter.'

In April, the Supreme Court refused to stay the ASI's survey but mandated no action should be taken without its permission based on the survey's outcome. The HC had initially ordered the survey upon a petition by 'Hindu Front for Justice,' granting the ASI six weeks to complete the task.

According to ASI, the survey began on March 22 and required multiple extensions to finish. The Hindu community regards Bhojshala as a temple of Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while Muslims consider it Kamal Maula Mosque. A 2003 ASI order allows Hindus to worship on Tuesdays and Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays, an arrangement now challenged by the Hindu Front for Justice.

(With inputs from agencies.)