Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Dhar Bandh Over Bhojshala Prayer Site Dispute
Dhar held a shutdown because Hindu organisations disagreed with how court orders about Bhojshala were being followed.
They said the Friday prayer site was too close to the complex and blocked access to the temple.
They also wanted the monument’s boundaries and roads to be marked more clearly.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court said Bhojshala is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and allowed Hindus to worship there throughout the year.
The Supreme Court did not pause that decision.
It directed that Muslims be given a nearby open place for Friday prayers from 1 p.m.
to 3 p.m.
Hindu groups said the court referred to Survey No.
596, while officials used Survey No.
612.
Police increased security and said the situation was peaceful, although some protesters were reported to have pressured shopkeepers.
Hindu organisations observed a half-day bandh in Dhar and some nearby towns over alleged incomplete implementation of court directions concerning Bhojshala.
The groups demanded clearer ASI demarcation of the monument, unrestricted access routes and an end to Friday prayer arrangements near the complex.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court recognised Bhojshala as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and granted Hindus year-round worship rights.
The Supreme Court declined to stay that ruling and directed Friday prayers at an adjacent open site between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Hindu representatives cited Survey No. 596, while the administration arranged prayers at Survey No. 612; police said the bandh remained peaceful overall.
- Who
- Hindu organisations, Muslim community representatives, the district administration, the Archaeological Survey of India, the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court are involved.
- What
- A half-day bandh and protests were held over the designated Friday prayer site and the implementation of court directions concerning the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex.
- When
- The bandh took place on Tuesday, reported as August 25, 2026, and continued from the morning into the afternoon; the Supreme Court’s next hearing was reported as scheduled for October 29.
- Where
- Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, with closures or related protests reported in places including Kukshi, Badnawar, Pithampur, Sardarpur and Manawar.
- Why
- Hindu organisations alleged that the administration was not fully complying with court directions and objected to the prayer site’s proximity to Bhojshala, as well as unclear monument boundaries and access routes.
Hindu organisations
Administration and court directions
Location of prayer site
Hindu organisations
Hindu organisations said the administration should use Survey No. 596 rather than Survey No. 612, which they said was too close to Bhojshala and blocked access. One supporter said the site should be 300 metres away.
Administration and court directions
The district administration arranged Friday prayers at Survey No. 612, describing it as a nearby site provided in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions. Reports differed over the survey number referred to in the court order.
Access and monument boundaries
Hindu organisations
The organisations demanded exclusive or unrestricted access for Hindu devotees, clearer demarcation of the ASI-protected monument, and marked ownership boundaries and routes.
Administration and court directions
The administration said it would act according to the court verdict and was facilitating arrangements for both communities. The Supreme Court directed the ASI to maintain the status quo at the monument.
Bandh enforcement
Hindu organisations
Hindu groups organised motorcycle and foot rallies, urged businesses to close and submitted memoranda demanding compliance with court directions. Some reports said protesters pressured or forced certain shops to shut.
Administration and court directions
Police said the bandh had to remain voluntary, appealed to residents to report harassment and urged people to ignore rumours. Officials said the situation remained peaceful and under control.
Identity of the complex
Hindu organisations
The Hindu side describes Bhojshala as a temple built by King Bhoj and dedicated to Goddess Saraswati or Vagdevi.
Administration and court directions
The Muslim side identifies the disputed 11th-century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
- Bandh impact
- Markets and commercial establishments in Dhar were closed for part of Tuesday; essential services were generally exempted, and similar shutdowns were reported in nearby towns.
- High Court ruling
- In May, the Madhya Pradesh High Court recognised Bhojshala as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and granted Hindus the right to worship there year-round.
- Earlier ASI arrangement
- A 2003 ASI arrangement allowed Hindu worship on Tuesdays and Muslim namaz on Fridays; the High Court quashed that arrangement.
- Supreme Court direction
- The Supreme Court declined to stay the High Court ruling and directed Friday prayers at an adjacent open site between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- Prayer-site dispute
- Hindu representatives said Survey No. 596 was specified, while district officials arranged prayers at Survey No. 612; reports said Muslims had prayed there for several weeks.
- Security
- Police increased security around the complex, markets and major intersections; one report said about 800 personnel were deployed.
- Further proceedings
- The Supreme Court was reported to have scheduled October 29 for petitions challenging the High Court verdict.
Sources
MP/ Dhar Observes Half-Day Bandh Over Designated Namaz Site Near Bhojshala Complex
Half-day Dhar bandh over Bhojshala issue
Dhar Bandh Over Bhojshala Prayer Site Dispute; Security Tightened
MP: Bandh in Dhar over Bhojshala dispute; Hindu groups seek full compliance of court orders
Bhojshala Row: Hindu Outfits Call For Dhar Bandh, Accuse Administration Of Defying SC Order | VIDEO