HYDERABAD: Goshamahal MLA T Raja Singh on Friday expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of Basant Panchami prayers at the historic Saraswati temple in Bhojshala, Madhya Pradesh, under police surveillance. Calling the situation a “misfortune” for Hindus, he said it was unfortunate that devotees were compelled to perform puja in the presence of heavy security at an ancient place of worship.
Speaking on the occasion of Basant Panchami, Raja Singh noted that while the festival was being celebrated with grandeur across temples nationwide, worshippers at Bhojshala were offering prayers under police watch. He described the development as deeply painful for devotees and questioned why security arrangements were necessary at a religious site.
The MLA stated that the Saraswati temple at Bhojshala was built by Raja Bhoj nearly a thousand years ago and was once a renowned centre of education, where students from different regions came to acquire knowledge. However, he alleged that the structure has been officially designated as a mosque.
Raja Singh pointed out that both Hindus and Muslims currently conduct their respective religious practices at the site under police supervision. Calling the situation “tragic,” he said such arrangements reflect a painful chapter in the nation’s cultural and religious history.
Urging the Chief Minister to intervene, the MLA demanded that the government formulate a clear strategy to restore the Saraswati temple to its former glory. “History is witness — it was a temple, it is a temple, and it will remain a temple,” he asserted.
In an emotional appeal, Raja Singh stated that the structure was built in a manner that hurt Hindu sentiments. Drawing a parallel with the Ayodhya dispute, he warned that continued inaction could test the patience of Hindus. He requested the Chief Minister to consider relocating the mosque from the site and facilitate the construction of a grand Saraswati temple in its place.