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Bhojshala Dispute: Hindus, Muslims Pray Peacefully Under Supreme Court Order

The Basant Panchami festival and Friday prayers concluded peacefully at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. This followed a Supreme Court order permitting both Hindu and Muslim communities to offer prayers at the site on the same day. District authorities deployed massive security, including over 8,000 police personnel, to ensure law and order. The 11th-century ASI-protected monument has long been a subject of dispute, with Hindus viewing it as a temple and Muslims as a mosque.

Key Points: Bhojshala Prayers Held Peacefully Under SC Order in MP's Dhar

  • Supreme Court allowed prayers for both communities
  • High security with 8000+ police personnel deployed
  • Centuries-old site claimed as temple and mosque
  • ASI's 2003 arrangement for weekly prayers
2 min read

Bhojshala row: Basant Panchami prayers, Friday namaz held peacefully in MP's Dhar

Basant Panchami puja and Friday namaz conducted peacefully at disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar under Supreme Court directive with high security.

"As per the order of the Supreme Court, the programme of the Hindu community on Basant Panchami and the Muslim community's Friday namaz... was conducted peacefully. - District Collector"

Dhar, Jan 23

The celebration of the Basant Panchami festival by Hindus and Friday namaz by Muslims at the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district concluded peacefully, an official said on Friday.

Dhar District Collector Priyank Mishra said people from both communities offered their prayers at the site peacefully amid high security, without any disruption of law and order in the area. He, however, appealed to people to maintain peace and public order to avoid any untoward incident.

"As per the order of the Supreme Court, the programme of the Hindu community on Basant Panchami and the Muslim community's Friday namaz at the designated place was conducted peacefully. People are appealed to maintain peace and law and order," the district Collector said in a statement.

Following the Supreme Court's direction, people from the Hindu community offered prayers to Bagichi Devi (Goddess Saraswati) at the Bhojshala temple premises, while Muslims also performed Friday namaz during the permitted window.

The Basant Panchami prayers involved traditional Saraswati Puja rituals. A large number of devotees visited the site, necessitating significant police deployment.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court permitted both Hindus and Muslims to offer prayers at the disputed premises and instructed the Dhar district administration to comply with the direction. The apex court allowed Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset, while Muslims were allowed to offer Friday namaz from 1 pm to 3 pm on the day.

The dispute at the site is that Hindus consider Bhojshala -- an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected 11th-century monument -- to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls it the Kamal Maula mosque.

Under an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja on the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays and Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.

The Supreme Court's intervention was needed as Basant Panchami fell on Friday and Muslims also visited the disputed site for Friday prayers on the same day.

Complying with the court's direction, the Dhar district administration strengthened security, deploying over 8,000 police personnel and Rapid Action Force (RAF) units in and around the disputed site.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Good to see peace prevailed. But we must ask why such massive police deployment (8000+ personnel!) is needed for citizens to simply pray. It shows the underlying tension. The ASI report on the site's origins should be made public soon to find a permanent solution.
A
Aman W
Jai Maa Saraswati! 🎵🪶 Happy that devotees could perform puja peacefully. The 2003 arrangement has worked for years, and the court has wisely managed this calendar clash. Faith should unite, not divide us.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, I find the shared use of heritage spaces fascinating. The key is mutual respect and strict adherence to court orders, as seen here. The district collector's appeal for peace is crucial.
K
Karthik V
Peaceful conclusion is a big relief. However, the long-term solution lies in archaeology and history, not just policing. Let the ASI findings guide the final decision. Until then, the rule of law must prevail.
I
Ishita S
This is how it should always be. My prayers were answered peacefully today. Thank you to the authorities for the arrangements. We are all Indians first. 🙌

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