Supreme Court Denies to Stay “Scientific Survey” of Bhojshala Complex

Bhopal: The Supreme Court on Monday denied to stay the “scientific survey” of the Bhojshala complex by the ASI. But the apex court said no action should be taken without its permission on the outcome of the ASI survey.

A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and P K Mishra issued notices to the Centre, Madhya Pradesh government, ASI and others on the plea filed by Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society challenging the March 11 order of the MP High Court on scientific survey.

“Issue notice returnable in four weeks. In the interim, no action should be taken without the leave of this court on the outcome of the ordered impugned survey.

“It is made clear that no physical excavation should be taken which will change the character of the premises in question,” the bench said.

Bhojshala is an ASI-protected 11th-century monument complex, which is an apple of discord between the Hindus and Muslims. Both communities claim this monument in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district as their heritage.

Hindus consider Bhojshala to be a temple of Goddess Saraswati. For the Muslim community it is the Kamal Maula Mosque.

As per an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja in the Bhojshala complex on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.