Madhya Pradesh High Court Declares Bhojshala Complex a Hindu Temple, Ends Namaz Rights at Site

May 15, 2026 : The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday declared the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district to be a Hindu temple, holding that the site was originally dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and served as a prominent centre of Sanskrit learning. The complex has long been contested by the Muslim side, which refers to it as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi delivered the verdict, relying heavily on the Archaeological Survey of India’s findings and archaeological evidence placed before the court. The bench observed that the evidence supported the existence of a Saraswati temple at the site and noted that Hindu worship and religious traditions there had continued uninterrupted over the years.

The High Court also set aside the earlier arrangement that permitted Muslims to offer namaz at the complex. While discontinuing the prayer rights at the disputed site, the court stated that the Muslim पक्ष may approach the government for allotment of alternative land for construction of a mosque.

In its order, the court handed over the administration and management of the Bhojshala complex to the Archaeological Survey of India and the Central Government. The ruling is expected to have major legal and political significance given the long-standing dispute surrounding the historic structure.