SC allows Hindu, Muslim prayers at MP’s Bhojshala on Basant Panchami Friday

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed both Hindus and Muslims to offer prayers at the disputed Bhojshala Temple–Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Friday, when Basant Panchami coincides with Friday prayers. The court laid down specific time slots and urged cooperation to maintain law and order.

Hindus have been permitted to perform prayers from sunrise to sunset on the occasion of Basant Panchami, while Muslims have been allowed to offer namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm. The court also directed that a list of members from the Muslim community intending to offer prayers be submitted to the district administration in advance.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi appealed to both communities to observe mutual respect and assist authorities in ensuring peace. The district administration has been tasked with making adequate security arrangements at the site.

The order came while hearing a plea seeking exclusive rights for Hindu prayers on Basant Panchami, citing the lack of clarity in the 2003 administrative arrangement for years when the festival falls on a Friday. The court chose a balanced approach to allow both religious practices.

The Bhojshala complex, an ASI-protected 11th-century monument, has long been disputed, with Hindus considering it a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and Muslims identifying it as the Kamal Maula mosque. Security has been heightened in Dhar ahead of Friday to prevent any untoward incident.