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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
TNN

Madhya Pradesh HC issues notices to Centre, state & ASI on disputed religious site

INDORE: The Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh high court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre, state government, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and others on two PILs seeking exclusive rights for Hindus to offer prayers at Bhojshala in Dhar district.

A division bench of Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Amar Nath (Kesharwani) issued notices on two petitions filed by Hindu Front for Justice and other members of the community, seeking several directives, including instructions to re-install a statue of Goddess Saraswati at the disputed site of the ASI-protected Bhojshala.The petition challenges an ASI 2003 order that allows Muslims to offer Friday prayers at Kamal Maula Mosque situated on the site. The order had allowed Hindus to offer prayers on Tuesdays and on Basant Panchami.

"The Petitioners are espousing the cause of Hindu community for enforcement of the right to religion guaranteed under Article 25 and right to conserve cultural heritage under Article 29 of the Constitution," the petition says.

The high court also issued notices to Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, which is associated with the mosque, petitioners' advocate Harishankar Jain told reporters. The idol of the temple deity -- installed in 1034 by Dhar rulers - has been in the British Museum, London, since 1875. "The petitioners are praying to restore the glory of Bhojshala Temple Complex by re-establishing the Pratima of Goddess Vagdevi. Muslims be not allowed to use the religious place of Hindus for their prayers/namaz," the petition says, demanding the formation of a trust to look after temple affairs and the start of a Gurukul to impart traditional training in Sanskrit.

The petitions are likely to be taken up for hearing on June 27. tnn

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