Hours after the state BJP welcomed Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh’s proposal to the Centre for a way out of the Bhojshala mess, the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) today did a U-turn to dash hopes of an early settlement. Maintaining that the state government had ‘‘no business’’ to make suggestions on the Bhojshala as it was a matter under the purview of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), HJM’s MP chief Radheshyam Yadav raised the pitch, demanding that ASI representatives travel to Dhar to take note of Hindu bhavna and permit free entry to Hindus for daily worship at the Bhojshala. The HJM stand had the BJP running for cover because, on the floor of the House earlier in the day, the party had welcomed Digvijay Singh’s proposal to the Centre. In the Assembly, the CM said that, while responding to a query by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Jagmohan, his government had recommended that in addition to the practise of Muslims offering namaaz from 1 to 3 pm on Fridays and Hindus worshipping on Basant Panchami, Hindus could be allowed entry, minus paintings, idols and material for worship, from 9 to 11 am on Tuesdays. Plus, visitors could be permitted on all other days, according to ASI norms, after paying an entry fee. In New Delhi, speaking to The Indian Express before Digvijay Singh’s announcement in the Assembly, Jagmohan said the ASI would only be too happy to withdraw the restrictions if the state government had no objection. He pointed out that it was the Madhya Pradesh government which in 1997 had imposed entry restrictions. He said he had written to Digvijay Singh, indicating ASI’s willngness to remove restrictions on public entry if the state government was of the opinion that it would not affect the law and order situation in Dhar. ‘‘This monument is a protected monument of historical importance. There are ancient Sanskrit inscriptions on its slabs. People should be free to go when they want,’’ he said. ASI officials pointed out that the 1958 Monument Archaeological Site and Remains Act lays down that practises and customs at monuments before these are brought under the ambit of the ASI should continue as before. ‘‘As the British had declared it a monument of public importance way back in 1904, customs prevalent since then have continued,’’ sources said. The Bhojshala passed into the hands of the erstwhile princely state of Dhar in 1952 and then to the Bhopal circle of the ASI in 1955-56. The HJM opposition to Digvijay Singh’s proposal took the BJP by surprise. Welcoming the proposal on the floor of the House, state Leader of Opposition Babulal Gaur had proclaimed it ‘‘a victory for the HJM, the RSS, the BJP, Praveen Togadia, Sadhvi Rithambra and all those who have kept Hindu interests uppermost.’’ Uma Bharti, spearheading the BJP run-up to the state elections, told The Indian Express that this was a ‘‘victory of the people (jan bhavna)’’ though the state government’s suggestion was not practical. ‘‘They should leave no scope for tension and go back to the pre-1997 situation wherein Hindus where allowed access from 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesdays. What if there is a crowd and not everyone is accommodated between 9 and 11 am, it will lead to tension every Friday.’’ She refused to comment on the HJM stand. Speaking to reporters after his announcement in the Assembly, Digvijay Singh said, ‘‘The BJP has declared this their victory. Let us say this is their victory and our defeat. So let them get the HJM to agree to their victory. In fact, what we proposed today was an agreement signed between the RSS, Bajrang Dal, VHP representatives and local Muslims way back in 1995. But the Bajrang Dal broke the law and restrictions had to be imposed in 1997.’’
