Supreme Court Allows Prayers by Both Communities at Bhojshala on Basant Panchami With Time Restrictions

News Delhi : The Supreme Court of India on Thursday permitted members of both the Hindu and Muslim communities to offer prayers at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Basant Panchami, subject to specific time slots.

The Court allowed Hindus to conduct prayers from sunrise to sunset on the day, while permitting Muslims to offer namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm. It also directed that a list of members of the Muslim community attending the namaz be submitted in advance to the district administration.

Both communities had approached the Court seeking permission to perform religious rituals at the Bhojshala complex on Friday, which coincides with the celebration of Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi appealed to both sides to maintain mutual respect and extend full cooperation to the state and district authorities to ensure peace and public order.

The Court further instructed the district administration to put in place adequate law and order arrangements at the site during the prayers.

The Bhojshala complex, an 11th-century monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, is regarded by Hindus as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, also known as Saraswati. The Muslim community, on the other hand, identifies the site as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

As per an arrangement framed by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to perform puja at the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, while Muslims are permitted to offer namaz on Fridays.