New Delhi (Agency): A new incident has fueled tension in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, where unidentified persons allegedly tried to place an idol in the Bhojshala historical building. This structure is an 11th-century monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The incident happened on Saturday night, leading to enhanced police security around the site.
Both Hindu and Muslim communities claim the Bhojshala monument. The site is named after King Bhoja and is an important cultural landmark. Hindus believe it to be the temple of Goddess Waghdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims consider it the Kamal Moula mosque.
Indrajeet Singh Bakarwal, the Additional Superintendent of Police, told reporters that some “anti-social elements” tried to keep an idol at the site by cutting the fence wire. The police learned about the incident later. “Further legal steps are being taken after getting a report from the ASI and looking at CCTV footage,” Bakarwal said.
The police have now deployed forces outside the monument to maintain order and prevent further incidents. This move comes as another chapter in a long history of tension over this building. In the past, the city of Dhar has seen tension especially when the Hindu festival of Basant Panchmi fell on a Friday, a day considered holy in Islam.
This recent incident opens up questions about religious coexistence and the management of disputed sites. While some see the act of placing an idol as an attempt to stake a religious claim over the monument, others are concerned about the “anti-social elements” involved. The involvement of unidentified individuals makes the situation more complex.