The Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict recognising the Bhojshala complex in Dhar as a Hindu temple and the property of King Bhoj has exposed a visible divide within the Muslim community, with some leaders urging peaceful acceptance and others vowing to challenge the ruling before the Supreme Court. The court granted the Hindu side exclusive rights to worship at the site while dismissing petitions filed by both the Muslim and Jain communities.

Calls for Acceptance from Within the Community

Kashish Warsi, President of the Indian Sufi Foundation, appealed to Muslims across the country to accept the verdict peacefully. He pointed to the shared history of the site — where namaz was offered only on Fridays while Hindus performed worship on Tuesdays — and argued that the arrangement itself reflected the disputed nature of the location.

'Namaz was offered there only on Fridays and Hindus used to perform worship on Tuesdays. Idols of Hindu Goddesses used to be removed from there on Fridays. Then the place was cleaned for namaz,' Warsi said.

Warsi asserted that a 'true Muslim' would not offer namaz at a disputed site, drawing a direct parallel with the Babri Masjid verdict. 'Just like the Babri Masjid verdict, this decision too should be accepted by the community because going against the court amounts to contempt of court,' he said. He also cautioned the community not to be 'misled by anyone, especially those having a communal mindset.'

Disappointment and the Supreme Court Option

Not all voices within the community echoed that restraint. Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahli said the High Court verdict had caused 'disappointment' among Muslims, though he acknowledged that the legal route to the Supreme Court remained open. He expressed optimism that the apex court 'will serve justice.'

Congress MLA Arif Masood confirmed that the Muslim side intends to appeal before the Supreme Court. 'The case of the Kamal Maula Mosque is very old, and this dispute has been going on for a long time. The controversy continued even after it was handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),' Masood said. He further urged the administration not to hand over the property until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict.

What the High Court Said

While granting exclusive worship rights to the Hindu side, the court also acknowledged the Muslim community's interests. It reportedly suggested that the government consider allocating alternative land for a mosque if the community so desires — a provision that mirrors elements of the Babri Masjid settlement framework, though the legal contexts differ significantly.

Historical and Legal Context

The Bhojshala complex has been a flashpoint for decades. Named after the 11th-century ruler King Bhoj, the site is revered by Hindus as the abode of Goddess Saraswati, while Muslims have historically used a portion of the premises — known as the Kamal Maula Mosque — for Friday prayers. The ASI has administered the site under a regulated worship arrangement. The High Court's ruling fundamentally alters that status quo, making a Supreme Court challenge all but certain. This is the latest in a series of judicial decisions on contested religious sites that have tested community relations and the boundaries of constitutional guarantees on religious freedom.

With a Supreme Court appeal expected, the legal battle over Bhojshala is far from over — and how the community's divided voices consolidate in the coming days will shape both the courtroom strategy and the ground-level response.