SC Allows Puja, Namaz at Bhojshala Today

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami on Friday at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque in Madhya Pradesh, while allowing Muslims to offer namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm on the same day.

The apex court also directed that a list of members of the Muslim community intending to offer namaz be submitted to the district administration in advance.

Both Hindu and Muslim groups had sought permission for religious activities at the Bhojshala complex on January 23, which falls on a Friday and coincides with Saraswati Puja on the occasion of Basant Panchami.

A three judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi appealed to both sides to maintain mutual respect and cooperate with the State and district administration to ensure law and order.

The court noted that the additional solicitor general and the Advocate General had fairly suggested that, after assessing the number of Muslims expected to attend Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm, a separate and exclusive space within the same premises be earmarked for the prayers. Similarly, a separate space, in line with past practice, would be provided for the Hindu community to perform Basant Panchami rituals.

The Bench further said the district administration may issue free passes or adopt other appropriate measures to prevent any untoward incident and ensure that rituals are conducted peacefully.

Hindus regard the Bhojshala, an 11th-century monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, as a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while Muslims identify it as the Kamal Maula mosque.

Under an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja at the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz there on Fridays.

The court was hearing a plea filed by the Hindu Front for Justice seeking exclusive rights for Hindus to offer prayers on Basant Panchami. The petition, filed through advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, argued that the ASI’s 2003 order does not address situations when Basant Panchami coincides with Friday prayers and sought uninterrupted worship rights for Hindus throughout the day.

Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, appearing for the mosque committee, submitted that Friday namaz is held between 1 pm and 3 pm and that the premises could be vacated thereafter. Accepting this proposal, the Bench recorded that the approximate number of worshippers from the Muslim community would be shared with the District Magistrate.

Additional solicitor general K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the Centre and the ASI, assured the court that the district administration would ensure maintenance of law and order.

The Supreme Court also disposed of an appeal filed by the Maulana Kamaluddin Welfare Society challenging the March 11, 2024 order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court directing a “scientific survey” of the Bhojshala complex.