Supreme Court Denies Interim Relief for Namaz at Bhojshala, Directs Alternative Arrangements

The Supreme Court of India has declined to issue an interim order that would permit the offering of Friday namaz at the contentious Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex located in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. This decision comes amid ongoing legal disputes surrounding the site’s religious status, which has led to significant tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities.

Instead of granting the request for a temporary arrangement, the court instructed the Madhya Pradesh state government to designate an adjacent open space where Muslims can perform their Friday prayers between 1 PM and 3 PM. This solution is intended to be a provisional measure while the court deliberates on a final ruling regarding the complex’s religious status.

The backdrop to this ruling involves a decision made by the Madhya Pradesh High Court on May 15, which recognized the Bhojshala as a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Saraswati. This ruling annulled a 2003 directive issued by the Archaeological Survey of India that had allowed Hindus to pray at the site on Tuesdays while granting Muslims the right to conduct namaz on Fridays. In response to the High Court’s judgment, various Muslim organizations have approached the Supreme Court to contest its legality.

Additionally, the situation has sparked broader discussions about the implications of the Places of Worship Act and the emergent claims of Hindutva regarding religious sites. The Supreme Court’s reluctance to engage meaningfully with these aspects has raised concerns among various social and religious groups, as highlighted by journalist Vineet Bhalla.

In a related development, over 1,800 members of civil society have rallied in support of activist Sonam Wangchuk, urging him to end his hunger strike. Wangchuk, now on the 17th day of his fast, is protesting against what he describes as mismanagement by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in conducting competitive examinations. The political campaign, known as the Cockroach Janta Party, is calling for Pradhan’s resignation. High-profile personalities, including actors Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, have signed a letter advocating for Wangchuk to conclude his protest for health reasons.

Source: scroll.in