Supreme Court Suggests Temporary Muslim Prayer Space at Bhojshala Complex
The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on appeals filed by Muslim parties in the ongoing dispute over the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant declined to pass an interim order maintaining the status quo but suggested a temporary arrangement for Muslim prayers.
The court proposed that an open area or space adjacent to the disputed premises could be identified for offering namaaz on Fridays between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. This would serve as an ad hoc measure until the case is finally decided by the apex court.
Additionally, the bench directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) not to make any structural alterations to the disputed structure without the court's permission.
The case pertains to the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district, which is protected by the ASI. The Hindu community considers it a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslim side refers to the 11th-century monument as the Kamal Maula Mosque. On Monday, the court had agreed to urgently list all petitions challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court order declaring the complex a temple.
The Supreme Court's suggestion aims to provide a temporary solution for religious worship while the legal dispute remains unresolved. Both sides have been asked to respond to the notices.
