Dhar, May 25 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced that ‘Maa Saraswati Lok’ and the ‘Raja Bhoj Research Institute’ would be established in Dhar, saying the district is set to emerge as a major centre of heritage, research, and development.

The announcements were made during a ceremonial programme organised on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra after the Chief Minister offered prayers to Goddess Vagdevi at the Bhojshala temple complex in Dhar district.

The visit assumed significance as it marked the first time that a sitting Chief Minister performed worship at the disputed site, which has remained at the centre of a decades-long legal and religious dispute, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.

The Chief Minister’s visit came just over a week after the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the ASI-protected Bhojshala complex a Hindu temple in its May 15 order.

Referring to the verdict, Yadav said, “The Madhya Pradesh High Court has delivered its verdict regarding the Bhojshala issue. Dhar is now stepping into a new era.”

Congratulating the people of Dhar, the Chief Minister said the judgment had reaffirmed historical truth.

“In this matter, the court has clearly distinguished truth from falsehood. In the times to come, there is a need to resolve to propel Dhar even further forward,” he said.

During the event, Yadav also honoured the families of those who lost their lives during the Bhojshala movement.

He invited the kin of the three martyrs onto the dais, paid tributes to them, and announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for their families.

Highlighting the government’s development vision for the region, the Chief Minister linked the proposed institutions to Dhar’s historical legacy associated with the 11th-century Paramara ruler Raja Bhoj.

“From this day forward, the district of Dhar will lead the way,” Yadav said, adding that the new projects would promote culture, tourism, and academic research.

The Chief Minister also spoke about ongoing infrastructure and industrial projects in the district, including the PM MITRA Park, the mega textile hub whose foundation stone was laid earlier by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union Minister of State Savitri Thakur, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, and MLA Neena Vikram Verma were among the public representatives present at the event.

–IANS

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