‘Washed away stain’: Bhojshala complex to be known as ‘Maa Saraswati Kanthabharan’, says convener

DHAR: Following the verdict of the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar, Bhojshala Mukti Yagya convener Gopal Sharma on Sunday said the complex would now be known as “Maa Saraswati Kanthabharan”, while hailing the “historic” decision.Sharma told ANI that the Hindu community had been fighting for centuries for recognition of the site as a temple."In 1305, Alauddin Khilji insulted our mother and cast her out from here. For 720 years, the Hindu community has been struggling for this. Thousands have sacrificed their lives to protect our mother. Many have lived their lives constantly dedicated to this idea. In 1952, our ancestors formed the Maharaja Bhoj Smriti Vasantotsav Committee and sowed the seed for the liberation of Raja Bhoj's Vagdevi Bhojshala. This struggle continued for 720 years. Today, through the High Court, we have washed away the stain on this Bhojshala. Until yesterday, this Bhojshala was known as Kamal Maula Mosque; now it will be known as Maa Saraswati Kanthabharan," he said.Sharma further said that symbolic rituals and prayers were conducted at the complex following the court order."Also, the court has ordered the central government to reinstall the idol that the British took to London back into Bhojshala. The Hindu community is enthusiastic. This struggle, penance, and meditation of the entire Hindu community over all these years has finally reached a comma, not a full stop. Today, we have placed its symbolic portrait in Bhojshala and established it with enthusiasm, followed by Havan and Puja. The Havan will continue throughout the day," he said.Referring to the recent Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order, Sharma said the ASI had directed that Bhojshala be treated as a Hindu temple."The ASI has ordered that Bhojshala is now a Hindu temple and will be known as a Hindu temple. Muslims should make their arrangements for Namaz elsewhere in consultation with the administration. The central government has been asked to re-establish the idol. That process has now begun. Over time, the original idol will also be installed here. But today, we have placed its symbolic portrait and started the idol worship and installation," he added.Following the High Court order, devotees assembled at the Bhojshala complex and performed prayers for the second day in a row. Dhar collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena and superintendent of police Sachin Sharma were also present during the rituals.The Madhya Pradesh High Court observed that the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex is essentially a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, linked to the Bhoj-Parmar era of Raja Bhoj. The court also quashed the earlier ASI arrangement that permitted the Muslim community to offer Friday namaz at the site for a fixed duration.Meanwhile, reports suggest that two caveat petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court in anticipation of a potential challenge to the High Court’s ruling by the Muslim side.(With agency inputs)