4 days ago
Dhar Revokes Varah March Permission, Detains Organisers Amid Tensions
Officials in Dhar cancelled a planned religious march called the Varah March.
They said the decision was made to protect people and maintain peace.
Police detained and later arrested some organisers connected with the event.
Posters about the march were removed from the city.
Many police officers were sent to sensitive areas and patrols were increased.
The Archaeological Survey of India also closed the Ganjikhana site for the day.
Hindus call the structure there Vijay Mandir, while Muslims call it Lat Masjid.
Hindu organisations say it was originally a temple, while historical accounts in the report describe it as a mosque.
Officials asked people to remain calm and avoid unnecessary travel.
Dhar district administration revoked permission for the proposed Varah March, citing security and law-and-order concerns.
Police detained and subsequently arrested several office-bearers associated with the Sanatan Prahari Samiti.
Authorities removed event posters, deployed extensive security, and advised outsiders not to visit Dhar temporarily.
The Archaeological Survey of India closed the protected Ganjikhana site amid fears of unrest.
The structure is identified as Lat Masjid by Muslims and Vijay Mandir by Hindus, with both sides disputing its historical identity.
- Who
- The Dhar district administration, police, the Archaeological Survey of India, and office-bearers of the Sanatan Prahari Samiti are involved.
- What
- Authorities revoked permission for the Varah March and detained and arrested several associated office-bearers.
- Where
- Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, including the Ganjikhana protected site.
- When
- The action occurred on Tuesday; security was to be tightened during the proposed march period.
- Why
- Officials cited security concerns, the need to maintain law and order, and the prevention of possible unrest.
Historical Mosque Identification
Hindu Temple Identification
Identity and origins of the structure
Historical Mosque Identification
The structure is known as Lat Masjid among Muslims, and the report describes it as a mosque built in 1405 CE by Dilawar Khan as the Friday mosque of the Malwa Sultanate.
Hindu Temple Identification
Hindu organisations call it Vijay Mandir and maintain that it dates to the Paramara period, saying it was commissioned by King Bhoja after a conquest and that Varaha imagery and pillars support the temple claim.
Key facts
- Event
- Varah March proposed by the Sanatan Prahari Samiti
- Administrative action
- Permission revoked by the Dhar district administration
- Police response
- Several office-bearers were detained and subsequently arrested
- Site closure
- The Archaeological Survey of India closed Ganjikhana to the public for Tuesday
- Security deployment
- About two dozen Station House Officers, senior police officers, fixed pickets, mobile vans, drones, CCTV cameras, and high-rise observation posts were deployed
- Structure names
- The Hindu community refers to it as Vijay Mandir; the Muslim community refers to it as Lat Masjid
- Historical account
- The report says the structure was built in 1405 CE by Dilawar Khan as a Friday mosque
Sources
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