The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday, 15 May delivered a landmark ruling on the Bhojshala complex in Dhar, declaring the disputed site a temple and affirming that the Hindu community holds an inherent right to worship there — a right the court found was never extinguished through history. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav welcomed the verdict as a triumph for the country's cultural heritage and religious freedom.

What the Court Ruled

A division bench comprising Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla and Justice Alok Awasthi set aside decades of administrative arrangements that had governed access to the disputed site. The bench redefined the legal status of the Bhojshala complex, recognising it as a protected monument and a place of worship dedicated to Maa Vagdevi. The ruling affirms devotees' right to offer regular worship at the site, which remains under the oversight of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

CM Yadav's Reaction

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his response through a statement issued on his official social media handle. He described the court's recognition of Bhojshala as a place of worship for Maa Vagdevi as a significant moment for the nation's faith, history, and cultural identity. He emphasised that the judgment honours the long-standing sentiments of devotees and settles the historical identity of the structure.

Yadav further stated that continued ASI management would reinforce the dignity and heritage value of the site. 'Our culture has always been a beacon of Sarva Dharma Sambhav (equal respect for all religions), social harmony and brotherhood. We hold the court's verdict in the highest regard and remain committed to further strengthening harmony, cultural pride and social cohesion within the state,' he said.

Idol Repatriation Directive

A particularly notable element of the ruling — and of the Chief Minister's response — concerns the idol of Goddess Vagdevi, currently housed in the United Kingdom. The court issued a directive calling on the Union Government to pursue the repatriation of the idol to its original home in Dhar. CM Yadav described this as a welcome and necessary step, pledging that the Madhya Pradesh government would extend full cooperation and make all necessary efforts to facilitate the idol's return.

Significance and What Comes Next

The Bhojshala complex has been a site of long-running contestation between Hindu and Muslim communities, with administrative orders historically regulating worship timings for both groups. Friday's ruling marks a significant legal shift, moving the site's status from a contested shared-access monument to a judicially recognised temple under ASI protection. The state government has assured the public that all necessary arrangements will be made for the peaceful and effective implementation of the court's order. The repatriation of the Vagdevi idol from the United Kingdom is expected to involve diplomatic engagement at the central government level, and its timeline remains to be determined.