Muslims silently protest at the disputed Bhojshala complex in Parliament House against the ongoing ASI probe

Dhar (MP): Members of the Muslim community sporting black bands offered prayers at Bhojshala in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Friday to protest against alleged excavations in parts of the 11th-century complex, the calling it a violation of the Supreme Court’s directive. .

A large number of Muslims turned up for Friday namaz, wearing black bands to protest against the alleged physical searches carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India as part of the court-mandated probe.

The ASI has been inspecting the structure for the past 64 days as per the directions of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

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

Hindu side’s lawyer Shreesh Dube said the Muslim community leaders were misinterpreting the apex court’s directive on the issue.

“We have submitted a memorandum addressed to the President of India stating that despite the Supreme Court’s directive not to carry out physical searches at the site, the ASI is searching the walls of the mosque and weakening them,” Zulfikar told reporters Pathan, head of the Kamal Maula mosque. Friday namaz.

Community leaders raised the issue last Friday and announced they would display black bands in protest if no changes were made to the ongoing ASI investigation, he said.

Pathan said they were holding a silent protest but would intensify their agitation if their demand was not heeded.

In April, the Supreme Court refused to stay the “scientific investigation” into the Bhojshala complex, clarifying that no physical excavation should be undertaken that would alter the character of the premises in question.

However, Dube said, “The Supreme Court has said in its order that the excavations should be done in such a manner that they will not alter the basic structure of the site. The ASI is conducting its investigation as required.”

He claimed that Muslim community leaders were misinterpreting the SC directive and engaging in a misleading campaign on the issue.

As per an agreement entered into by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja in the Bhojshala premises on Tuesday and Muslims offer ‘namaz’ in the complex on Friday.