The Supreme Court will hear a petition this Friday regarding the proximity of an alternate prayer site near the Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh. The Muslim community has contested the current location, arguing it is too far for Friday prayers. The court has directed the Solicitor General to consult with the state government on providing a more accessible, adjacent location.
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The Supreme Court is set to resume proceedings this Friday regarding the ongoing dispute over the Bhojshala complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The court will specifically examine a plea concerning the designated location for Friday prayers, following concerns raised by the Muslim community about the distance of the current alternate site.
During a recent session, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, addressed arguments presented by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi. Representing the Muslim side, Ahmadi argued that the current site is approximately 2 kilometers away from the Bhojshala complex, which has hindered the community’s ability to attend Friday prayers. The petition emphasizes that a previous court directive had requested an open space in closer proximity to the complex.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Madhya Pradesh government, stated that the current alternate site is approximately 900 meters away from the complex. He assured the bench that he would personally review the situation to address the concerns raised and ensure compliance with the court's earlier intentions. Justice Bagchi underscored the importance of fulfilling the court’s previous order both in letter and spirit.
The court has requested the Solicitor General to obtain clear instructions from the state government regarding the feasibility of providing a site directly adjacent to the complex. This development follows a July 14 directive from the court, which ordered the state to allocate an open space near the site for Friday prayers between 1 pm and 3 pm while the broader legal matter remains pending.
The broader context of this case involves appeals against a Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling that categorized the Bhojshala complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. As this remains a sensitive and ongoing legal matter, the primary monitorable for all parties involved is the state government's response regarding the site location, which will be presented during the scheduled Friday hearing.