Supreme Court Refuses Bhojshala Namaz Relief
The Supreme Court has refused to pass an interim order restoring Friday namaz inside the Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh, while agreeing to hear appeals challenging the High Court verdict on the disputed site.
Supreme Court Refuses Bhojshala Namaz Relief
The court agreed to hear petitions filed by Muslim parties against the Madhya Pradesh High Court order that declared Bhojshala a temple and cancelled the earlier prayer arrangement at the site.
However, the Supreme Court declined to restore the previous arrangement that allowed Muslims to offer Friday namaz inside the complex. The bench said the matter was sensitive and asked both sides to show patience while the case is heard.
Bhojshala Dispute Hearing To Continue
The court said it was ready to hear the matter in detail and indicated that the case could be taken up for early consideration.
As an interim arrangement, the Madhya Pradesh government has been directed to provide an open space adjacent to the disputed site where Muslims can offer Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm.
The Supreme Court also ordered that the Archaeological Survey of India should not make any structural changes at the site without prior permission from the court.
Madhya Pradesh High Court Order Challenged
The dispute centres on the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar. Hindu groups consider it a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, while Muslim parties claim it as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
Under a 2003 ASI arrangement, Hindus were allowed to worship on Tuesdays and Muslims were allowed to offer Friday prayers. The Madhya Pradesh High Court cancelled that arrangement in May, leading to the present appeals before the Supreme Court.
