M.P. CM announces financial aid to people died in Bhojshala movement; govt to build Saraswati corridor, research centre

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday (May 25, 2026) announced financial assistance of ₹ 5 lakh per person to the families of three people killed during the February 2003 protests and clashes with security personnel for the Bhojshala temple while praying at the site in Dhar.

Mr. Yadav’s visit comes 10 days after the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the earlier disputed Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex as a temple dedicated to goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and an ancient center of Sanskrit learning. The court rejected the Muslim community’s claim that it believed the site was a 14th-century mosque.

Mr. Yadav also announced that the ‘Saraswati Lok’ corridor will be built and a research center will be established in the name of King Bhoja, and described the Bhojshala decision as the “result of a 750-year-old struggle”.

The three men were Van Singh Araadi, Lakshman Singh and Anwar Singh, residents of different villages in Dhar district. They died after leaders of various Hindu organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, launched a movement in February 2003 demanding full access to the site, claiming that it was a temple built by King Bhoja, the 11th-century ruler of the Parmar dynasty. They were declared martyrs for this cause by Hindu troops.

“Dhar is now stepping into a new era. I congratulate the residents of Dhar for this decision of the Supreme Court. Your 750-year-old struggle lies behind this decision. In this regard, the Court has clearly distinguished right from wrong,” Mr. Yadav said at an event in Dhar.

“I am announcing the establishment of ‘Maa Saraswati Lok’ (Realm of Goddess Saraswati). Everything you wish for will come to fruition here. It will become a vibrant hub for both tourism and literature. I also use this opportunity to announce the establishment of Raja Bhoj Research Institute,” he said.

Mr. Yadav also laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth more than Rs 88,000 billion in the region.