‘SC guidelines violated during survey of Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque,’ alleges Muslim cleric
The Supreme Court had in April refused to stay the Archaelogical Survey of India’s inspection of the 11th-century religious monument.
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An Archaeological Survey of India team tasked with surveying the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district “grossly violated” Supreme Court guidelines while doing so, alleged Waqar Sadiq, the area’s head cleric, to PTI.
On March 11, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had directed the agency to carry out the survey on a plea by a group called the Hindu Front for Justice, who have claimed that the mosque was constructed by “destroying” Hindu temples.
The High Court directed the surveyors to take care not to damage the structure. The court also said that no excavation could take place without prior permission from the district collector.
Sadiq told PTI that both these directives were violated during the 98-day-long survey, which concluded on Thursday.
The 11th-century complex, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, is claimed by both Hindus and Muslims. While the Hindus believe that the Bhojshala is a temple dedicated to the deity Vagdevi, or Saraswati, the building is a mosque for the Muslim community.
Under an arrangement made by the Archaeological Survey of India on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform prayers on the premises on Tuesdays and Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.
On April 1, the Supreme Court had refused to stay the survey while hearing a plea filed...
