Indore, Apr 10 (PTI) A petitioner from the Hindu side on Friday told the Madhya Pradesh High Court that the Bhojshala complex is a Saraswati temple established by Raja Bhoj of the Parmar dynasty, and was also a seat of learning where different subjects used to be studied.
He also said the idol of goddess Saraswati, originally installed at the temple, is currently kept at a museum in London, which should be brought back to India and reinstalled at Bhojshala.
The Bhojshala complex is regarded by Hindus as a temple of Vagdevi (Saraswati), while the Muslim side identifies it as the Kamal Maula mosque. The disputed complex is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The court has been hearing four petitions and a writ appeal on the religious character of Bhojshala since April 6, taking up arguments of the petitioners first.
On the fifth day of hearing, advocate Manish Gupta, appearing for petitioner Kuldeep Tiwari, presented arguments before Justices Vijay Kumar Shukla and Alok Awasthi.
Gupta clarified that his client’s plea does not seek ownership rights over the Bhojshala complex but requests the court to determine its religious character.
Remains of Hindu deities’ idols, murals, inscriptions and other material found during the ASI’s scientific survey establish that the monument is a Saraswati temple built by Parmar king Bhoj.
To support his claim, Gupta cited ‘Samarangana Sutradhara’, a treatise authored by King Bhoj on temple construction, sculpture, town planning and architecture.
“The idol of Vagdevi (Saraswati) installed in Bhojshala temple is currently in the British Museum in London. Its structure matches the specifications of Parmar-era idols described in ‘Samarangana Sutradhara’,” he said.
Gupta urged the high court to direct the Centre to bring back the Saraswati idol from the London museum and ensure its reinstallation at Bhojshala.
He also sought that only Hindus be allowed to offer prayers at the Bhojshala complex.
Citing ‘Prabandha Chintamani’ by Merutunga and other historical texts, Gupta said King Bhoj was a great patron of art and scholars, and Bhojshala was known as a centre of learning where knowledge was imparted.
The high court has fixed April 15 for the next date of hearing in the matter. PTI HWP LAL NP
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