Maulana Kamaluddin welfare society seeks full ASI survey video and photos in Bhojshala case

Indore: The Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, a respondent in the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque case, on Monday sought directives from the Indore bench of the MP high court for production of the complete video recording and coloured photographs of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey conducted at the disputed site in Dhar.A bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi, while hearing a bunch of petitions, including a PIL filed by Hindu Front for Justice staking claims on the disputed monument, listed the interlocutory application for hearing on April 2.The society's prayer before the court was twofold, seeking production of the entire videography of the survey proceedings and all coloured photographs, both those incorporated in the ASI report and those taken by the ASI during the survey process. The applicant submitted that these materials are essential to ensure transparency and to enable meaningful comments on the survey report.Society president Abdul Samad Khan contended in the interlocutory application that the ASI conducted the survey in a procedurally flawed manner, ignored every objection raised by the society, and yet made no mention of any of these objections in its final survey report, which he argued demonstrated "the mala fide intent" of the ASI.In the last hearing on Feb 23, the court granted time to all parties involved to submit their objections or suggestions on a survey report of the ASI on the disputed complex that was formally handed over to the litigants following Supreme Court directives.On March 11, 2024, the court, on a PIL by Hindu Front for Justice, directed the ASI to conduct a thorough scientific survey of the site, including GPR-GPS survey, carbon dating of all structures, unlocking of sealed rooms, and preparation of a comprehensive report by a five-member Expert Committee.The court directed the ASI to specifically photograph and video-graph the survey in the presence of 2 nominated representatives, the petitioners and respondents (including Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society), to ensure transparency and authenticity.The Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society President alleged that the survey began on March 21-2024, at around 5 PM without any official information to him. He learned of it through social media, despite the court's direction that the survey commenced on Mar 22, 2024.On Mar 24, 2024, the survey was conducted simultaneously at multiple spots, making it impossible for his representative to remain present at each location at the same time, Khan alleged, adding that on Mar 26-2024, persons of one particular community allegedly entered the survey site during the ongoing process.On Apr 4, 2024, excavation was carried out despite being prohibited. On Apr 16, 2024, an objection was raised against incorporating idols and pillars allegedly planted at the site in 2003 into the survey findings. A detailed consolidated objection followed on July 21, 2024, the interlocutory application claimed.The application further referred to several news reports published during the survey period to substantiate its claim that it was a "compromised survey process".The Bhojshala-Kamal Maulana Mosque was contested as "Saraswati Sadan" by Hindus who sought, among other reliefs, a declaration that only members of the Hindu community hold the fundamental right under Article 25 to perform pooja and rituals at the premises, and that the Muslim community has no right to use any portion of the property for religious purposes.The Muslims claimed that the structure was Kamal Maula Mosque, a fact they claimed was verified by the ASI as far back as 1903.