Madhya Pradesh High Court declares disputed Bhojshala site a Hindu temple

Rashmi Pandey — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:58:04 +0000

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday declared the disputed area of the Bhojshala Complex a Hindu temple, marking a major development in the long-running legal and historical dispute surrounding the site in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh.

The court also reportedly directed that the site be preserved as a temple and asked the Central government to initiate discussions with the British Museum in London regarding the return of an idol linked to the complex for possible reinstallation.

Reacting to the verdict, petitioner Kuldeep Tiwari described the judgment as the culmination of a long struggle. “This was a long battle that we had been fighting for a very long time, in fact, for centuries. Today, that struggle has finally achieved success,” he said after the ruling.

Tiwari further stated that supporters of the petition had always maintained that Bhojshala was originally a Hindu temple and claimed the court’s decision validated that position. “Today, the court has put its seal on that belief. We are all very happy that the court has declared it to be a Hindu temple and said that it will be preserved as one,” he said.

The Bhojshala complex has remained a sensitive and disputed site for decades, with both Hindu and Muslim groups staking claims over its historical and religious identity. The site is associated with King Bhoja of the Paramara dynasty and has been at the centre of legal, archaeological and political debates over worship rights and heritage status.

In previous years, authorities had implemented regulated arrangements allowing Hindu worship on certain days while Muslims were permitted to offer namaz on Fridays under administrative supervision. The dispute has periodically led to heightened tensions and heavy security deployment in the region.

The latest ruling is expected to trigger strong political and social reactions, particularly ahead of major political developments in the state. Legal experts indicated that further appeals or challenges to the judgment could emerge in higher courts.

Security around the Bhojshala complex was tightened following the verdict, with local authorities monitoring the situation closely to maintain law and order in Dhar and nearby areas.

Bhojshala | Business Upturn

Madhya Pradesh High Court declares disputed Bhojshala site a Hindu temple