The Jain community has entered the legal fray concerning the Bhojshala site in Dhar, filing a petition in the Supreme Court to assert their claims over the historical site currently under dispute. This legal move places the Jain community alongside the Muslim and Hindu communities, who have already submitted petitions regarding the site.
Advocate Saiby Jose Kidangoor, representing the Jain community, highlighted that artifacts and idols pertaining to Jain Tirthankaras were discovered during an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) excavation, indicating the presence of a Jain Gurukul and temple at the site. Despite an earlier petition filed in the Indore High Court that was dismissed, the community has escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking recognition and preservation of their historical ties to the site.
The petition includes evidence from a 1875 excavation where a statue of Jain Yakshi Ambika, now housed in the British Museum, was unearthed, reinforcing the Jain community’s historical connection to Bhojshala.
In response to the ASI’s survey report, which has already been submitted to the High Court, the Supreme Court has been approached to ensure that decisions regarding the site do not solely rely on this survey. The Court had previously indicated that the High Court should not make final decisions based solely on the survey findings.
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The Bhojshala site, known for its intricate Indian architectural style and inscriptions in Sanskrit, showcases symbols common in Hindu temples, which has led to multiple claims over its heritage. Historical surveys, including one conducted in 1902, have recognized elements typical of Indian temples, but also mentioned a mosque on the site, which has led to competing claims by the Muslim community.
