The Bhojshala complex dispute in Dhar, has been transferred from the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court to the Principal Bench in Jabalpur. The case, involving the constitutional debate over Hindu worship rights versus permission for Muslim prayers, will be heard today, Wednesday, by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf. The hearing is expected to take place after lunch. Petition highlights Bhojshala as a Gurukul of Sanatan traditions The petitioners, including the Hindu Front for Justice, claim that the Bhojshala, built by King Bhoj between 1010 and 1055 AD, was originally a temple dedicated to Devi Vagdevi (Saraswati) and a major center for Sanskrit education. Subjects taught here included the Vedas, Shastras, astrology, and astronomy. The petition describes the site as an ideal Gurukul preserving Sanatan traditions, asserting that despite later damage by Muslim rulers, its religious identity remained intact and Hindu devotees continued worshipping. The petition also contends that British attempts to promote the site as Kamaal Maula Masjid were historically inaccurate. Controversy over 2003 ASI order The main controversy centers around a 2003 order by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which allowed the Muslim community to offer prayers at the site while imposing restrictions on Hindu worship. Petitioners argue that this violates Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom. They also cite Article 29 for cultural heritage protection and Article 49 concerning the preservation of historical monuments, framing the dispute as a clash between religious faith, historical identity, and constitutional rights. Appeal pending since 2006 The four petitions filed by the Hindu Front for Justice and others were originally listed before the Indore bench on Monday, under Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi. However, due to lawyers observing a protest day, the petitioners’ legal representatives were not present. The court noted that an appeal related to this matter has been pending since 2006. Accordingly, the division bench, led by Justice Shukla, recommended transferring the case to the Principal Bench in Jabalpur for administrative handling and proper orders by the Chief Justice. Consequently, all five Bhojshala-related cases are now listed before the division bench headed by the Chief Justice. Post navigation Face crushed with stone, ‘Ishu-Tanu’ mehendi on hands:Jabalpur woman murdered; AI image used for identification MBA student murder accused shows no remorse:Says, ‘What will you do knowing reason?’
