Supreme Court Declares Bhojshala As Temple, Allows Friday Namaz Next To Site

New Delhi: In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Bhojshala will henceforth be recognized as a temple. 

What did Supreme Court say? 

The Supreme Court agreed today to hold daily hearings on the Bhojshala matter in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district. Observing that this is a sensitive issue and the Court is prepared to resolve the dispute, the Bench emphasized that both Hindu and Muslim parties must exercise patience.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing multiple petitions challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court order which stated that the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The Bench remarked that it needed to be extremely cautious regarding every word used.

"These are highly sensitive matters. Remarks made in court could unnecessarily escalate the dispute or convey the wrong message. Therefore, we must use every word with great care."

CJI Surya Kant stated, "This is the first time a matter concerning an interim arrangement has come before us. We are taking note of the High Court's order as well as the State's inability to maintain law and order. We are of the view that, while the current arrangement remains in force, the matter should be listed before an appropriate Bench within 10 to 15 days."

What did Muslim side say? 

It is worth noting that on Monday, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi and Advocate Nizam Pasha, representing the Muslim petitioners, had urged the Bench for an immediate hearing on these petitions. In response, the Bench led by the CJI stated that once technical defects in the petitions were rectified, they would be listed for an early hearing before the appropriate Bench. Meanwhile, the Hindu side has also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court as a precautionary measure, ensuring their side is heard before any interim order is passed.

What was High Court verdict? 

Significantly, the Madhya Pradesh High Court had delivered a verdict on May 15, declaring that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Furthermore, the court had set aside a decades-old order by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that permitted the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at the site. However, the High Court also stated that the Centre and the ASI could make decisions regarding the administration and management of the Bhojshala complex. The Hindu community regards the Bhojshala as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, whereas the Muslim side refers to this 11th-century structure as the Kamal Maula Mosque. This disputed complex is under the protection of the ASI.