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Hindu groups perform puja at Bhojshala amid security; ASI issues directions to implement High Court order
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A woman decorates a floor as people gather to offer prayers inside the Bhojshala complex following the Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict declaring the site a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) in Dhar. | Members of the Hindu Front for Justice, which represented the Hindu side in the High Court, Bhoj Utsav Samiti, as well as several locals, performed Aarti at the Bhojshala complex even as the situation remained peaceful in Dhar town and nearby areas amid heavy security arrangements. Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) acknowledged the High Court’s verdict and issued directions for its implementation. In a May 16 order, the ASI said the Hindu community “shall have unrestricted access to the Bhojshala Complex in connection with the ancient practice of learning and worship of Goddess Saraswati”.The order also said the time of entry for visitors and devotees, and permissible activities related to learning and worship would be determined by the superintending archaeologist of the ASI, Bhopal, in consultation with the Dhar district administration, while ensuring the conservation and protection of the monument under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958. “The Bhojshala Complex shall continue to be a protected monument under the AMASR Act, 1958. This order shall be in supersession of all previous orders issued in this regard,” said the order issued by A.M.V. Subramanyam, Director, Monument 1, ASI.While Hindu groups and leaders have termed the High Court’s verdict “historic and the result of a 700-year struggle”, Muslim representatives termed it “one-sided” and said they would challenge it in the Supreme Court. ‘Will move Supreme Court’Abdul Samad, president of the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society, which represented the Muslim side in the court, said, “The court’s decision is completely one-sided. We will approach the Supreme Court regarding this matter. In fact, the Hindu side has already reached the Supreme Court [with a caveat] before us, which itself clearly shows that they also had doubts about the judgment and about the intent of the High Court.”Mr. Samad also raised questions about Hindu community members performing worship at the site and said the High Court had asked the government to make arrangements for the same. “Nowhere in that order, not even remotely, is it written [in the verdict] that the ASI or the Hindu side is permitted to conduct daily worship at the site. The ASI is acting in direct contravention of the established rules. It is also not stated that the offering of namaz should be discontinued and start daily worship,” he told reporters. A caveat has been filed in the Supreme Court by a petitioner from the Hindu side, urging that no order be passed on any appeal against the High Court’s verdict without hearing its side. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Indore (Rural), Manoj Kumar Singh, said the deployment of more than 1,200 personnel would stay in place for the next few days and that the administration and the police would assess the ground situation. “There has been no incident or confrontation between the two sides so far. We have held discussions with representatives of both sides and are keeping a strict vigil,” he said. In a long-awaited verdict on May 15, a Division Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Indore declared the long-disputed site of the Bhojshala complex and Kamal Maula Mosque as a Bhojshala with a temple of Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati) and a centre of Sanskrit learning associated with Raja Bhoj of the Parmar Dynasty.While dismissing the claims of the Muslim side, the court also quashed a 2003 o
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), in association with The Hindu, will organise a webinar on ‘Career Beyond the Obvious: Unlocking New Pathways in Humanities and Sciences’, aimed at broadening perspectives on the evolving career landscape and highlighting the opportunities emerging beyond conventional professional choices.With industries increasingly valuing interdisciplinary skills, the session will explore how disciplines in Humanities and Sciences are opening doors to careers across sectors such as research, technology, media, analytics, public policy, behavioural sciences, communication, sustainability, and innovation. It will offer insights into emerging trends, industry expectations, and the growing importance of combining domain knowledge with creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.The panel will feature A. Vinay Kumar, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Science, Humanities, and Management), SRMIST; A. Duraisamy, Dean, Faculty of Sciences and Humanities, SRMIST; Deepa Sethi, Executive Chair of Globe, IIM Kozhikode; and Kamal Karanth, Co-founder, Xpheno Private Limited. The webinar is eighth in the Future Career Conversations series and will be hosted by Prince Frederick, Civic Affairs Editor and Editor, Opportunities, The Hindu. Those interested may visit https://newsth.live/THSRMHE for registration. Published - May 14, 2026 10:49 pm IST
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, energy insecurity, and climate challenges, India is steadily emerging as an influential voice in shaping the future global order. Against this backdrop, The Hindu Group, in association with Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), will host The Hindu Diplomacy & Sustainability Dialogues 2026 on May 13 at SIMATS, Chennai.Centred around the theme “From Crisis to Leadership: India’s Global Role,” the event will bring together diplomats, strategic experts, academicians, and policymakers to deliberate on India’s growing diplomatic and sustainability leadership amid the ongoing West Asia crisis and rapidly evolving global dynamics.The inaugural session will feature distinguished guests of honour, including T. S. Tirumurti, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York; Talmiz Ahmad, former Ambassador to Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and professor, International Studies at Symbiosis International University, Pune; and Sunjay Sudhir, former Ambassador to the UAE and Maldives, and Fellow at IIM Ahmedabad. N. M. Veeraiyan, Chancellor, SIMATS, Chennai, will deliver the special address.The first panel discussion, titled “India’s Diplomatic Balancing in West Asia: Strategic Autonomy, Energy Security & Global Responsibility,” will examine India’s diplomatic approach in the context of the evolving West Asia crisis. The session will feature Talmiz Ahmad; Prof. Gulshan Sachdeva, Jean Monnet Chair, School of International Studies, JNU; Sunjay Sudhir; and T. C. Karthikeyan, Professor of Politics and International Relations and Director, Centre for Public Policy & Administration, Saveetha School of Law. The discussion will be moderated by Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Editor, The Hindu.The second panel discussion, “Impact of West Asia Crisis on Economic Disruptions & Sustainability: Implications for India,” will focus on disruptions in trade, energy markets, and supply chains, while also exploring the importance of keeping sustainability central to policymaking during periods of global conflict. Speakers for the session include Sudha Meiyappan, member, Economic Affairs Committee, SICCI; Col. Rajeev Agarwal, Senior Research Consultant, Chintan Research Foundation; and S. Pandiaraj, professor of International Law and Trade, Saveetha School of Law. The session will be moderated by Kunal Shankar, Deputy Business Editor, The Hindu.The event will also feature a special fireside chat on “India’s Global Future: Leadership, Diplomacy & Sustainability in Times of Conflict,” during which Mr. Tirumurti will share insights on India’s growing strategic and diplomatic influence in an increasingly fragmented global landscape. Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu, will be in conversation with him. The dialogue aims to foster meaningful discussions on diplomacy, sustainability, economic resilience, and international cooperation, while exploring how India can transform present-day global challenges into opportunities for leadership and long-term sustainable progress. The event will be live streamed at https://newsth.live/THSAVDP Published - May 13, 2026 06:56 am IST
This image is used for representational purposes only. | The invite-only event is designed to help students and professionals navigate an evolving professional landscape through discussions on emerging career paths, skills and industry expectations. Published - May 03, 2026 07:54 pm IST
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