Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex | ASI seeks 8 weeks to complete survey of disputed monument

ASI seeks eight more weeks to complete scientific survey at Bhojshala complex in Dhar district amid dispute.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is conducting a scientific survey at the medieval-era Bhojshala complex in Dhar district on the Madhya Pradesh High Court's direction, has sought eight more weeks to complete the exercise.

The ASI, in an application filed before the Indore bench of the high court on Monday, said it needed some more time to understand the nature of exposed portions of the structures in the disputed premises.

Hindus consider Bhojshala, an ASI-protected 11th-century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community call it Kamal Maula Mosque.

As per an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja in the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.

The high court has already fixed April 29 as the next date for hearing in the Bhojshala dispute case. The ASI's fresh application is also likely to come up for hearing the same day.

The high court had on March 11 ordered the ASI to conduct a "scientific survey" of the Bhojshala-Kamal Moula mosque complex within six weeks.

On the court's direction, the ASI started the survey of the disputed complex on March 22.