An idol of Vagdevi (goddess Saraswati) was found inside the Bhojshala in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district.

Security was stepped up at Bhojshala and Kamal Maula’s ‘mosque’ in Dhar district after an idol of Vagdevi (goddess Saraswati) was found by the guards inside the 11th century monument, police said on Monday.

“Tension broke out in the area after an idol of Vagdevi was found inside the Bhojshala by security personnel on Sunday. The idol was subsequently removed by authorities. A probe is underway and we are trying to identify the people behind this act,” Dhar SP Manoj Kumar Singh was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“We have stepped up security at the premises in view of possible escalation of the matter and are holding discussions to resolve the issue between the two communities amicably,” Singh added.

While ASI regional director central Bhuvan Vikram said, “We took immediate action and removed the idol. The action against security personnel will be taken after a probe into the matter is completed.”

Police said that an FIR was registered under section 456 (house trespassing), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) and 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) of IPC against unidentified people on the basis of a complaint by the district administration.

Gopal Sharma, a member of Bhojshala Sangarsh committee, which has been fighting to reclaim the monument, criticised the district administration for removing the idol. “We saw a photo and video of the idol inside the Bhojshala on Sunday morning but by the time we reached, the administration had removed it. They shouldn’t have seized the idol because it is a matter of faith. We have been fighting for a long time (to reclaim the Bhojshala),” he said.

The site, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Under ASI guidelines issued on April 7, 2003, Muslims are allowed to offer namaz at the premises on Fridays and Hindus are allowed to perform prayers on Tuesdays.