The ongoing investigation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) into the contentious Bhojshala/Kamal Maula Mosque complex in the district of Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, entered its third day on Sunday.

Abdul Samad, President of the Kamal Maula Mosque Welfare Society and a concerned party in the legal proceedings, conveyed his reservations to the ASI via email on Saturday.

“Our contention revolves around the exclusion of items introduced into Bhojshala post-2003 from the ASI’s investigation. I have forwarded my concerns via electronic mail,” he articulated. Samad highlighted the presence of three distinct ASI teams operating within the complex.

“I am the sole representative from the mosque welfare society involved in the survey. My primary objection pertains to the dispersion of ASI personnel across three separate locations,” he emphasized.

On Sunday morning, a contingent from the ASI, accompanied by senior police and local administrative figures, arrived at the disputed complex situated in this tribal-dominated region.

Petitioners from the Hindu community, namely Ashish Goyal and Gopal Sharma, also arrived at the Bhojshala complex. Stringent police security measures were implemented at the location.

The survey commenced on Friday following a mandate from the Madhya Pradesh High Court. On March 11, the High Court instructed the ASI to conduct a ‘scientific survey’ of the Bhojshala complex within a six-week timeframe, a structure that Hindus revere as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and which the Muslim community regards as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

According to an ASI directive issued on April 7, 2003, Hindus are permitted to engage in worship within the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, while Muslims are granted access to offer prayers on Fridays.