![JMA – Ninja & Deep Jandu [Official MV] Kaptaan](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-dsfIh319s0/maxresdefault.jpg "JMA – Ninja & Deep Jandu [Official MV] Kaptaan")
Hindus consider Bhojshala to be a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls the 11th-century monument Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and a case regarding the site is pending in court.
On January 22, the Supreme Court directed the HC to unseal the scientific survey report submitted by the ASI in a sealed cover on the disputed complex.
Following the order, the matter was listed before the high court for the first time on Monday.
Amid the statewide lawyers’ strike, litigants from both the Hindu and Muslim communities appeared before the court in person.
Ashish Goyal, a litigant associated with the petitioner organisation ‘Hindu Front for Justice’, told reporters that the hearing was deferred because of the lawyers’ strike.
He said the court has fixed February 18 (Wednesday) as the next date of hearing.From the Muslim side, Abdul Samad, associated with the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, was present in the high court.
Speaking to reporters, he said that before any conclusion on the disputed complex, a decision should be taken on a petition filed by his side in 2019 before the high court’s principal bench at Jabalpur.
Samad said the petition has termed as improper an ASI order dated April 7, 2003, related to the disputed complex and alleged that the order is not being properly implemented.
Under the ASI order issued after the dispute over the Dhar complex began, Hindus are permitted to offer prayers at the site on Tuesdays, while Muslims are allowed to perform namaz there on Fridays.
Noting that ASI has completed the scientific survey and has submitted its report in a sealed cover to the high court, the apex court last month directed the HC to unseal the report and it be supplied to the parties concerned, who can file objections to it.
“If such part cannot be copied, the parties may be allowed to inspect in the presence of their counsels. Let objections be filed and thereafter case be taken for final hearing.
“Till the writ is finally decided, the parties shall maintain status quo at the site. However, parties shall continue to follow and abide by ASI order of April 2023,” the SC said.
