India, May 16 -- Relying on ASI report, HC bars Muslims from offering Friday prayers

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday held that the Bhojshala complex in Dhar is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, quashing a decades-old order of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that allowed the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at the site. The court said its decision was based on archaeological and historical evidence, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey report, provisions of the ASI Act and references from the Ayodhya judgment.

The HC also directed the Union Government and the ASI to take a decision regarding the future management and administration of the complex. The HC said evidence related to a Saraswati temp...