New Delhi:

After the Jawapi Masjid in Varanasi, another controversial temple-masjid site will come under the radar of the Archaeological Survey of India. This time it was Bhojshala in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, where the investigation was to be conducted. The order was issued by the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court today following a petition filed by the Hindu Front, a right-wing group. This will be the fourth location to be excavated/surveyed after Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura.

A bench of Justices SA Dharmadhikari and Dev Narayan Mishra said: “Investigation is complete. Photos and videos should be produced. The report should be submitted to the court during the next hearing on April 29.”

ASI was asked to determine the age of the structure using all available methods and state-of-the-art equipment, including ground-penetrating radar systems and carbon dating.

The petitioners sought the right to conduct daily worship at the site if the investigation revealed the existence of the temple.

In its order, the court said that the ASI must conduct a “comprehensive scientific survey, survey and excavation” of the relevant sites constituting the disputed Bhojshala Temple cum Kamal Maula Mosque complex using the latest GPR-GPS survey methods, techniques and models. ”. This will include the entire 50m peripheral ring area from the boundary of the complex.

Detailed scientific investigation must also be carried out through carbon dating of various structures “above and below ground”. The ASI will also have to open locked or sealed rooms, halls and prepare a complete inventory of every artifact, idol, idol or any structure. But this should be done without “damaging, defacing, destroying the original character of the entire complex.”

The investigation shall be conducted under the leadership of an expert committee consisting of at least five senior officials of the ASI headed by the Director General or Additional Director General and shall submit its report to the court within six weeks.

“Efforts should be made to have representatives of the officials of both the competing communities, if available in the above mentioned positions and ranks, on the said expert committee,” the order read.

The judge said that after receiving the report, the petitioner’s plea for restoration of the right to daily worship will be heard. The court will also hear an investigation into the waqf of Mullah Kamal Mosque.

A temple complex dedicated to goddess Saraswati in the Dhar region has long been a source of friction. Currently, worship is allowed only on Vasant Panchami. Throughout the rest of the year, namaz events are held at Kamal Maula Masjid.

The temple complex is part of the famous college built by King Bhoja (1000-1055 AD), who is said to be the greatest monarch of the Paramara dynasty.

The college came to be known as the Bhojshala (banquet hall) where students from across the country enjoyed a feast of knowledge. During the Muslim rule, the building was converted into a mosque. The statue of Goddess Saraswati is now kept in a museum in London.