Dhar (Madhya Pradesh) [India], May 18 (ANI): Following a landmark verdict by the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court recognising the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex as a temple, devotees offered prayers to a portrait of Goddess Saraswati at the historic site in Dhar on Sunday.

Speaking to ANI, Bhojshala Mukti Yagna Convener Gopal Sharma called for the immediate repatriation of the original idol of Goddess Saraswati from the London Museum. He stated that until the original idol of Goddess Saraswati returns to the region, the symbolic portrait established at the complex will serve as the seat of worship for devotees.

'The High Court has directed the government that the idol (of Goddess Vagdevi) should be repatriated from London. The complex has finally been declared as a temple, and we will consecrate that idol here, but till then, this idol, consecrated yesterday, will stay here...' Sharma told ANI.

Earlier, the Indore Bench of the High Court held that the religious character of the disputed monument was that of Bhojshala, a temple of Goddess Saraswati.

'The religious character of the disputed area is held to be Bhojshala with a temple of Goddess Saraswati,' the Court said.

The High Court further quashed the 2003 ASI arrangement 'to the extent restricting the right of Hindus to worship within the Bhojshala complex and also the order permitting prayer by the Muslim community.'

The Court directed that the Union Government and the ASI would take decisions regarding administration and management of the Bhojshala temple, while clarifying that the ASI would continue to exercise overall control and supervision over preservation, conservation and regulation of religious practices at the protected monument under the ASI Act, 1958.

On the Hindu communities' plea seeking the return of the idol of Goddess Saraswati allegedly housed in a London museum, the High Court noted that several representations had already been submitted to the Union Government.

The High Court also asked the State government to consider granting land to the Muslim side for a mosque in Dhar district, in case the respondent moves an application.

However, following the MP High Court judgement, two caveat pleas have been moved in the Supreme Court hours, anticipating that parties from the Muslim side may challenge the verdict before the apex court.

First, a caveat plea was filed by Hindu-side litigant Jitendra Singh Vishen, who is also a petitioner before the High Court in the Bhojshala dispute, seeking that he be heard before the Supreme Court passes any order on any challenge to the High Court judgment.

Subsequently, another caveat petition was filed by the main Hindu-side petitioner in the matter through Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, similarly requesting that no order be passed without hearing the caveators in the event the verdict is challenged.

The disputed site in Dhar has long been claimed by Hindus as a temple and by Muslims as a mosque. Pending adjudication, the State authorities had put in place a shared arrangement for religious practices while the site remained under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which had also surveyed the complex. (ANI)