Supreme Court Allows Simultaneous Prayers at Disputed Bhojshala Site in MP, Calls for Harmony

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{ "title": "Supreme Court Allows Simultaneous Prayers at Disputed Bhojshala Site in MP, Calls for Harmony", "article": "In a bid to maintain peace and harmony, the Supreme Court has allowed Hindu prayers to take place at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami, a sacred day for Hindus. The court also permitted Muslims to offer namaz from 1 pm to 3 pm on the same day. The decision comes as a relief to both Hindu and Muslim groups, who had sought approval for prayers at the site on the same day. The apex court, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, directed the district administration to ensure law and order arrangements at the site to prevent any untoward incidents. The court also appealed to both sides to maintain mutual respect and cooperate with the authorities. The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex has been a subject of dispute for decades, with Hindus considering it a temple dedicated to goddess Saraswati and Muslims viewing it as the Kamal Maula mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had made an arrangement in 2003, allowing Hindus to perform puja on Tuesdays and Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays. However, the dispute resurfaced in 2022, with the Hindu Front for Justice filing a plea against the offering of namaz and the ASI's order prohibiting Hindus from offering daily puja at the site. The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court later directed the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the complex, which found evidence of an earlier temple being converted into a mosque. The ASI report, which was submitted to the court, described the existing structure as a hurriedly built monument with reused materials, including basalt, marble, and limestone. The report also mentioned the presence of images and sculptures of various deities, including Ganesh, Brahma, and Narasimha. The Supreme Court's decision to allow simultaneous prayers at the disputed site is seen as a step towards resolving the long-standing dispute and promoting harmony between the two communities. The court's appeal for mutual respect and cooperation between Hindus and Muslims is a welcome move, and it is hoped that the decision will pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the dispute."