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Supreme Court Allows Friday Prayers Near Dhar’s Bhojshala Complex, Says Alternative Site Can Still Be Explored
In a significant interim relief, the Supreme Court directed the Madhya Pradesh government to facilitate Friday prayers at the dargah adjoining the disputed Bhojshala complex while encouraging both sides to seek a mutually acceptable long-term solution.
New Delhi: In an important development in the long-running Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute, the Supreme Court of India on Thursday allowed members of the Muslim community to continue offering Friday (Jumma) prayers at the dargah situated next to the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.
The apex court directed the Madhya Pradesh Government to ensure that worshippers are permitted to offer prayers at the premises every Friday between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm, providing temporary relief while the larger legal dispute remains under judicial consideration.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohan, clarified that the arrangement is purely interim in nature. At the same time, the court observed that both the state government and the Muslim side remain free to explore an alternative location for Friday prayers through mutual agreement if such a solution is found acceptable.
Interim Arrangement Continues
The latest order comes after the Supreme Court had earlier instructed authorities to identify an open space near the disputed complex where Friday prayers could be offered until the matter reaches a final conclusion.
However, the Muslim side, represented by Haji Muneer Ahmad, approached the court once again, alleging that the administration had failed to properly implement its earlier directions. According to the petitioners, the alternative site identified by the Dhar administration was located nearly 1.3 kilometres away from the Bhojshala complex.
They argued that the distance defeated the purpose of the court’s order, maintaining that worshippers should be able to see the mosque while offering prayers, a practice they consider religiously significant.
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court decided to permit Friday prayers at the dargah adjoining the disputed premises until further orders.
Background of the Dispute
The Bhojshala complex in Dhar district has remained one of the country’s most sensitive religious disputes for decades. The site is revered by many Hindus as an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslim community identifies a portion of the premises as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
The dispute intensified earlier this year when the Madhya Pradesh High Court, in its May 15 judgment, declared that the disputed structure is fundamentally a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
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The High Court also set aside a decades-old order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that had permitted Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the site. Additionally, it held that the Central Government and the ASI have the authority to determine the administration and management of the historic complex.
A Temporary Balance
While the legal battle over ownership and religious rights continues, Thursday’s order seeks to maintain peace by ensuring that religious practices are not abruptly disrupted.
Legal observers believe the Supreme Court’s decision reflects an attempt to strike a balance between maintaining law and order, protecting religious freedoms, and preserving the status quo until the final adjudication of the dispute.
The matter is expected to return before the Supreme Court for further hearings, where broader constitutional and historical questions surrounding the Bhojshala complex will continue to be examined.
