Supreme Court asks Madhya Pradesh to review namaz site near Bhojshala complex
The court has directed the state government to examine whether a prayer site closer to the disputed complex can be provided for Friday namaz.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Madhya Pradesh government to reconsider the location provided for Friday namaz near the disputed Bhojshala Kamal Maula Complex in Dhar district. The court will hear the matter again on Friday after the state submits its response.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain immediate instructions from the state government on whether an open space next to the complex could be made available for prayers.
Appearing for the Muslim petitioners, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi argued that the Supreme Court had earlier instructed the state to provide land close to the Bhojshala site for Friday namaz. He said the location offered by the government was about two kilometres away, making it difficult for worshippers to attend prayers and failing to meet the intent of the court’s order.
Representing the Madhya Pradesh government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta disputed that claim. He told the court that the site was around 900 metres from the complex and assured the bench that he would personally verify the situation. He also said the state would take corrective steps if required.
During the hearing, Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the Supreme Court’s earlier directions must be implemented completely and in the true spirit of the order. The bench then fixed the matter for further hearing on Friday.
The dispute relates to the Supreme Court’s order issued on July 14 while hearing appeals against a Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling that declared the Bhojshala Kamal Maula Complex to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. As an interim arrangement, the court had directed the state government to provide a separate open space next to the disputed site where Muslims could offer Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm until the case is finally decided.
The Muslim side has now approached the Supreme Court again, arguing that the location allotted by the state does not comply with those directions. The long running dispute over the historic site remains unresolved, and both communities continue to await the court’s final decision on its use and access.