ASI' Survey Of Dhar Bhojshala Premises Underway Amidst Heightened Security

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reached the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar on Friday to conduct the survey of the disputed site. The ASI team arrived around 6:30 pm and the survey is underway. This action follows a recent mandate from the Madhya Pradesh High Court to survey a 50-meter area of the site. Hindus consider Bhojshala as a sacred place dedicated to 'Vagdevi', while Muslims recognise it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The court emphasised the importance of revealing and clarifying the true nature of the complex to dispel existing confusion. 

After the inspection, a survey blueprint will be drafted. Security around 'Bhojshala' has been bolstered, with police forces deployed across the city in anticipation of the survey. The Madhya Pradesh High Court issued an order directing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to conduct a survey of the Bhojshala Temple and Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district within six weeks. As per a 2003 agreement, Hindus perform puja at the complex on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays. 

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh: ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) team arrives to survey Bhojshala in Dhar after the order of the High Court. pic.twitter.com/52WD9Nx9g0 — ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

"In accordance with the directives of the High Court, we have received correspondence from the Additional Director of the Indian Culture Department," Dhar Superintendent of Police, Manoj Kumar Singh told ANI on Thursday. "Upon receipt of the communication, today we conducted an inspection of the Bhojshala premises. We deliberated on the necessary security measures to be implemented during the survey and discussed the requirements outlined by the ASI," he added.