Court rules medieval Dhar mosque a Hindu temple amid growing disputes

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that the historic Kamal Maula mosque in Dhar is a temple dedicated to a Hindu goddess, intensifying debate over religious sites in India.

For decades, 78-year-old Mohammad Rafiq served as the muezzin at the mosque, following a family tradition that dates back to before India’s independence in 1947. But after the latest ruling, Muslims in Dhar say they no longer have access to the site inside the Bhojshala complex, a protected monument known for its historical importance.

The court’s decision came after petitions claimed that a Hindu temple existed at the location before the mosque was built. Following the verdict, Hindu worshippers gathered at the site carrying saffron flags and performing religious rituals under tight police security.

The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex has remained at the centre of disputes for decades. Under a 2003 arrangement, Hindus were allowed to worship there on Tuesdays while Muslims offered prayers on Fridays.

Now, the court has officially recognised the site as a temple of Goddess Vagdevi. Muslim groups have announced plans to challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court.

Debate over history and faith

The judgement relied heavily on findings from a survey conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Critics, however, questioned the interpretation of historical evidence and accused authorities of encouraging religious polarisation.

A 1935 government notification had earlier stated that Muslim prayers at the mosque should continue because the structure was recognised as a mosque. The court, however, said present-day legal considerations outweighed colonial-era records.

The ruling has reignited debate around India’s Places of Worship Act, 1991, which was intended to preserve the religious character of places of worship as they existed in 1947.

Opposition voices and Muslim leaders argue that repeated claims over mosques are creating fear and uncertainty among minorities.

Echoes of the Babri Mosque dispute

The controversy has drawn comparisons with the Babri Mosque case in Ayodhya, where a decades-long dispute ended with the Supreme Court awarding the land for the construction of a Ram Temple.

Since then, similar claims have emerged over other historic Islamic-era monuments, including the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi and the Shahi Eidgah mosque in Mathura.

Supporters of the Dhar verdict describe it as a restoration of Hindu heritage, while critics see it as part of a broader political and ideological campaign linked to Hindutva politics.

Local Hindu groups celebrated the judgement, calling it a “victory for Hindu civilisation”, while Muslim residents expressed sadness and uncertainty about the future of the site.

For people like Mohammad Rafiq, the decision represents more than a legal defeat.

“Until recently, this mosque was part of our lives,” he said. “Now everything feels changed.”