Dhar, January 23 – Saraswati Puja commenced on Friday at the disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar under heavy security arrangements.
Devotees of the goddess gathered in large numbers from early morning to participate in the worship. To prevent any communal violence at the sensitive site, extensive security forces were deployed.
Members of the Muslim community are scheduled to offer prayers at the location between 1 pm and 3 pm.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav extended heartfelt greetings on Basant Panchami via the social media platform X, stating, “Wishing the people of the state and the nation a happy Basant Panchami. May the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, the patron of letters, music, and knowledge, fill everyone’s life with wisdom, creativity, happiness, and prosperity.”
On Thursday, the Supreme Court permitted Hindus to perform worship at the site from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami and allowed Muslims to offer prayers there between 1 pm and 3 pm.
The Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex is a disputed site claimed by both Hindu and Muslim communities due to its religious significance.
The dispute centers on the Bhojshala, an 11th-century monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and regarded by Hindus as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslim community refers to the site as Kamal Maula mosque.
Following the Supreme Court’s directives, the Dhar district administration has increased security deployment, stationing over 8,000 police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) around the site.
Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra stated on Thursday that the district administration and police are well-prepared, with the primary objective of maintaining law and order.
He also issued a strong warning that any material inciting religious hatred, whether through newspapers, electronic media, WhatsApp, or social media platforms like Facebook, will face strict action under the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act.
According to an arrangement made on April 7, 2003, by the Superintendent of Police, Hindus perform worship at the Bhojshala complex on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer prayers there on Fridays.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
