PWD takes possession of disputed Imambara in M.P.’s Dhar; heavy force deployed

The Public Works Department (PWD) of the Madhya Pradesh Government has taken the possession of a disputed Imambara from the local Muslim community in Dhar district under heavy police protection, authorities said on Thursday (August 21, 2025). A large number of personnel remain deployed in the area. 

On the intervening night of August 19 and 20, the PWD took possession of the long-disputed property from the local Tazia Committee over a month after the local Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) ruled in the favour of the department. The local Tazia Committee has challenged the move in the Supreme Court.

Dhar Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Kumar Singh told The Hindu that at least 1,500 security personnel, including one company of the Special Task Force (STF) and two companies of the Special Armed Forces (SAF), and surveillance from neighbouring buildings as well as drones. The multi-layered security arrangements remain in place given the sensitivity of the matter, he added. 

A local Hindu body, Sanskritik Dharohar Raksha Manch Samiti had been running a campaign to get it vacated since 2021 and has submitted requests to the district administration.

Earlier this year, the district administration issued a notice to the Tazia Committee, prompting the body to move the Madhya Pradesh High Court against it. 

However, in April, 2025, the High Court directed the Dhar SDM to decide on the matter, who after hearing representation from the concerned sides, declared in the favour of the PWD on July 14. The Muslim body approached the Divisional Commissioner against the order which was turned down, prompting it to move the Supreme Court.

Mr. Singh said, “The building used to be the property of the Dhar ruler earlier and had been under the control of the PWD since the independence. In 1973, the Tazia Committee took it on rent for about two weeks to prepare the Muharram tazias and has been in their possession ever since.”

He said that for a month after the SDM court’s order, the police and the administration had held several meetings with community leaders and bodies from both Hindu and Muslim communities to ensure that the possession can be taken peacefully. 

“The situation is peaceful in the area but we have kept the security cover to prevent any incident,” he said. 

Dhar has been communally sensitive for years due to multiple religious disputes, including the famous Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque dispute between the Hindu and Muslim communities.