Supreme Court Orders Peace for Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex
The Supreme Court has directed authorities to ensure the peaceful conduct of both Basant Panchami puja and Friday namaz at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula monument in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court has ordered maintenance of status quo at the site until further notice.
- The Madhya Pradesh government must ensure law and order in the area.
- The order comes amid an ongoing ASI scientific survey of the complex ordered by the High Court.
Court’s Directives for the Disputed Site
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra ruled that the status quo ordered by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on March 11, 2024, must be maintained. This means the existing arrangements for worship at the complex will continue.
The court also instructed the state government to take all necessary steps to maintain peace and order in the area, especially during the scheduled religious observances.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The Supreme Court was hearing a plea from the Hindu Front for Justice challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court order. The High Court had directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to complete a scientific survey of the Bhojshala complex within six weeks and submit its report.
About the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex
The site is an ASI-protected 11th-century monument with dual religious significance:
- For Hindus: It is believed to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati).
- For Muslims: It is known as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
Since an ASI order dated April 7, 2003, a shared worship schedule has been in place: Hindus perform puja every Tuesday and on Basant Panchami, while Muslims offer namaz at the site on Fridays.
