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Last Updated:  Tuesday, 8 April, 2003, 18:27 GMT 19:27 UK
Disputed site reopens for Hindus
By Mahesh Pandey
BBC correspondent in Bhopal

A controversial monument in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has been reopened after a five-year ban on Hindus entering it.

Police guard the disputed site in Dhar
Police have had to guard the site
The memorial, known as Bhojshala in the district of Dhar was opened on Tuesday following orders from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Several weeks ago, a right wing Hindu group demanded the removal of a ban on the entry of Hindus.

This led to communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims in the area and curfew was introduced in order to ease tensions.

The decision of the ASI follows recent communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims in the western part of the state.

Ceremonies

The ASI said Hindus will be allowed to perform religious rites in the monument every Wednesday from sunrise to sunset.

Hindus can carry with them a few flowers and some grains of rice for performing the ceremonies, the ASI said.

Stone throwing in Dhar
The monument has been the scene of communal unrest
The move will also allow Muslims to enter the monument for two hours on Friday for religious prayers.

On Monday thousands of Hindus, organised by the right wing Hindu Jaagran Manch performed prayers inside the monument.

Curfew was imposed in five districts, including Dhar, in February after the Hindu Jaagran Manch pressed their demand for entry of Hindus inside the monument.

Saraswati

Chief Minister Digvijay Singh contradicted Hindu claims by saying that Bhojshala is a mosque.

However, hardline Hindus believe it is a temple of the Hindu Goddess Saraswati.

Indian police guard a disputed site
Muslim leaders in Dhar refused to comment on the ASI's new order.

A leader of the Hindu Jaagran Manch, Dinesh Dewada, told journalists in Bhojshala that Muslim prayers inside the monument should be stopped.

The central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party had earlier advised the state government to open the doors of the monument for the Hindus, but the state government had demanded a clear order.

A university of Sanskrit in the 11th century, Bhojshala was attacked and rebuilt by Muslim ruler Alla-ud-din Khilji in the 13th century.

In 1930, the then Hindu ruler Anand Rao Pawar - gave a written order that Muslim prayers should be performed in the monument.

However, Hindus have been celebrating an annual Hindu festival, Basant Panchami, in the monument since 1952.

But the entry of Hindus there was banned following communal riots in the area in 1998.





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SEE ALSO:
Curfew in India religious row
19 Feb 03  |  South Asia
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BJP seeks peace with Hindu right
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