Supreme Court allows Hindu prayers, Muslim namaz at Bhojshala on Basant Panchami

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted both Hindu and Muslim communities to offer prayers at the disputed Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Basant Panchami, ensuring access to the site for both faiths while stressing the need for peace and cooperation.

The top court allowed Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset on Friday, January 23, which coincides with Saraswati Puja celebrations, and permitted Muslims to offer namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm on the same day. The court also directed that a list of people from the Muslim community attending prayers be submitted to the district administration.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi urged both sides to maintain mutual respect and cooperate with authorities to ensure law and order at the site. The district administration has been instructed to make adequate security arrangements for the prayers.

Both Hindu and Muslim groups had approached the court seeking permission to conduct religious activities at the Bhojshala complex on Friday, which coincides with Basant Panchami — a day dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.

The Bhojshala, an 11th-century monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is revered by Hindus as a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community regards it as the Kamal Maula Mosque.

Under an ASI arrangement in place since April 7, 2003, Hindus are allowed to perform puja at the site on Tuesdays, while Muslims are permitted to offer namaz on Fridays.