Communal Tension in Dhar’s Bhojshala Complex
(Tehelka Bureau)
Bhopal, 21 August
Fresh Tension as Muslims Offer Friday Prayers, Hindus Recite Hanuman Chalisa
A situation of communal tension arose once again today in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. As it was a Friday, around five hundred Muslims gathered on a plot adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala complex to offer Friday prayers.
At the same time, Hindu devotees inside the Bhojshala complex began reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. Furthermore, conch shells were blown loudly, and slogans were raised.
Over 1,000 Security Personnel Deployed Amid High Alert
The police administration was on high alert, fearing a potential clash. This sequence of events unfolded between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM amidst the deployment of over 1,000 security personnel.
Bhojshala-Kamal Maula: A Historical and Religious Dispute
It is worth noting that a long-standing dispute exists between the two sides regarding the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar district. This is a historical and religious dispute, with the Hindu side regarding the site as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and the Muslim side regarding it as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
High Court Declared Bhojshala a Temple in May 2026, SC Directed Adjacent Prayer Site in July
In May 2026, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared it a temple, and in July 2026, the Supreme Court issued directives for an alternative site for prayers.
Tensions now escalate every Friday.
Hindu Utsav Samiti Demands Relocation of Friday Prayers Away From Bhojshala
The Hindu Utsav Samiti contends that the Supreme Court erred in permitting Muslims to offer Friday prayers on the plot adjacent to the Bhojshala. They argue that normalcy will only be restored if orders are issued for prayers to be held at a location away from this site.
Tehelka Bureau, Bhopal
