MP govt to find new namaz spot near Bhojshala complex, assures Supreme Court
The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday assured the Supreme Court that it would identify an alternative location for Friday prayers closer to the disputed Bhojshala complex, addressing objections raised by the Muslim side over the site earlier allotted.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the state government, informed a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that discussions were underway to resolve the issue. The bench also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
The assurance came after the Supreme Court on July 14 declined to restore status quo at the complex in Dhar district but directed the state administration to provide an adjacent open space for Muslim worshippers to offer Friday prayers between 1 pm and 3 pm, pending a detailed examination of the dispute.
The Bhojshala complex, which houses a mosque and a temple, has been a site of religious contention. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains the premises, and access is regulated by an agreement that allows Hindus to pray on Tuesdays and Muslims on Fridays.
The Muslim side had objected to the site initially proposed by the state government, arguing that it was too far from the complex. The government’s latest assurance seeks to address this concern by finding a spot closer to the disputed structure.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the matter further after the government identifies the new site. The court has emphasized the need for maintaining peace and public order while the legal dispute continues.
