Bhojshala Dispute: Supreme Court Allows Friday Prayers at Dargah, Directs MP Government To Ensure Access
The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Muslim side to offer Friday prayers at a dargah near the disputed Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar, directing the state government to ensure access between 1 pm and 3 pm every Friday.
New Delhi, July 30: The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Muslim side to offer Friday prayers at a dargah near the disputed Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar, directing the state government to ensure access between 1 pm and 3 pm every Friday.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana passed the order while hearing a petition challenging the arrangements made for offering prayers.
Earlier, on July 14, the apex court had directed that a separate open space be provided near the complex until the dispute is decided. The Muslim side later informed the court that the site allotted by the state was around 1.3 km away from the complex and requested a location close enough for the mosque to remain visible during prayers. 'India a Secular Country': Gauhati High Court Expresses Strong Reservations About PIL Seeking Separate Prayer Room for Muslims at Guwahati Airport.
Appearing for the Madhya Pradesh government, Additional Solicitor General KM Natraj said the state was focused on maintaining law and order and did not want to enter into competing religious claims.
Justice Bagchi observed that safeguarding religious rights while maintaining law and order is a constitutional obligation of the state. Chief Justice Kant also noted that a nearby site with a separate entry and exit could be used for prayers. Women Allowed in Mosques but Can’t Insist on Main Door Entry, AIMPLB Tells Supreme Court.
The order comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court, on May 15, held that the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and set aside a decades-old Archaeological Survey of India arrangement permitting Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the site.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 05:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
