94 Broken Idols Recovered: ASI Submits Survey Report on Madhya Pradesh’s Bhojshala-Kamal-Maula Mosque Complex

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted a comprehensive 2,000-page scientific survey report on the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal-Maula mosque complex to the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday.

Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, discussing the survey findings, asserted that over 94 broken idols were unearthed at the site, emphasizing that only Hindu rituals should be conducted there. Speaking to news agency ANI, he stated, “Today is a very happy occasion. It has been made clear by the ASI report today that there used to be a Hindu temple. Only Hindu puja should take place there. The ASI order of 2003 allowing namaz is illegal. More than 94 broken idols were recovered from there. Anybody who sees those things can easily say that there used to be a temple there.”

ASI’s counsel, Himanshu Joshi, confirmed the submission of the detailed report to the court’s registry, stating, “I have submitted the report.”

On July 4, the High Court had directed ASI to present the complete report by July 15 following its March 11 order for a scientific survey, prompted by an application from the ‘Hindu Front for Justice.’

The Bhojshala complex is viewed by the Hindu community as a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community regards it as the Kamal Maula mosque, leading to a longstanding dispute. In 2003, ASI implemented an arrangement allowing Hindus to worship at Bhojshala on Tuesdays and Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays to manage the situation.

Despite being in effect for 21 years, this arrangement faces challenges, including recent petitions such as that by the Hindu Front for Justice.

ASI commenced its survey on March 22 and completed it recently, after an extension beyond the initial six-week deadline to ensure thoroughness.