Supreme Court Allows Friday Prayers Near Bhojshala Complex

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at a dargah adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district.

The court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to facilitate the prayers at the site between 1 pm and 3 pm every Friday.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana gave the order, which also clarified that it would not prevent the state government and the Muslim side from mutually identifying another suitable location for offering Friday prayers in the future.

The latest order comes after the apex court had directed that a separate open space adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala complex be provided for Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm until the matter is finally decided.

However, the Muslim side alleged that the Dhar administration had failed to comply with the directions, and the alternative site identified was around 1.3 km away from the disputed complex.

The Muslim side argued that the place for prayers should be close enough for worshippers to have a view of the mosque while offering namaz, making the site suggested by the administration unsuitable.

The dispute stems from a May 15 judgment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which ruled that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.

The High Court also quashed a decades-old Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order that had allowed the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at the site.

The matter remains pending before the Supreme Court, with Thursday's order serving as an interim arrangement until the larger dispute is resolved.

The Supreme Court's latest direction reflects an effort to maintain religious practices while the legal dispute over the Bhojshala complex continues.

By permitting prayers near the disputed site and leaving room for a mutually agreed alternative, the court has attempted to strike a balance without affecting the final outcome of the case.

This decision is significant as it highlights the court's approach to balancing faith and legal process in sensitive disputes.

The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it has implications for the management and administration of the Bhojshala complex and the rights of the Muslim community to offer prayers at the site.

In the end, the Supreme Court's decision to allow Friday prayers near the Bhojshala complex is a step towards finding a resolution to the dispute, while also ensuring that the rights of all parties involved are protected.