The Supreme Court on Tuesday suggested identifying an adjacent open space for Muslims to offer Friday prayers between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. as a temporary measure in the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula Mosque dispute in Madhya Pradesh. The court issued notice on appeals filed by Muslim parties but declined to pass any interim status quo order.
Court Directives on Bhojshala Complex
A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant proposed the ad hoc arrangement until the apex court decides the case. The court also directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) not to make structural alterations to the disputed 11th-century monument without its permission.
Background of the Dispute
The Hindu community regards the Bhojshala complex in Dhar district as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while Muslim parties claim it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The site is currently protected by the ASI.
On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to urgently list all petitions challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that declared the complex a temple. The case remains pending before the apex court.
