The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Muslim side to offer Friday prayers at a dargah adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, while directing the state government to make necessary arrangements to facilitate worship at the site. The order came during the hearing of a plea seeking an alternative location for offering namaz amid the ongoing legal dispute over the historic complex. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and J V Mohana, directed the Madhya Pradesh government to ensure that Muslim worshippers are permitted to offer Friday prayers at the dargah premises between 1 pm and 3 pm every Friday.

The court also observed that the state government and representatives of the Muslim side could explore identifying another suitable location for prayers through mutual agreement. However, the bench declined to issue an interim order restoring the previous arrangement at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex. The matter reached the Supreme Court after the Muslim side challenged an order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court regarding the disputed site. The high court had declared the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and also set aside an earlier Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arrangement that allowed Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the premises.

The high court had further stated that the Centre and the ASI could determine issues related to the administration and management of the complex. The ruling led to further legal proceedings, with the Muslim side approaching the apex court seeking relief and an appropriate alternative location for prayers. Earlier, on July 14, the Supreme Court had directed the Madhya Pradesh government to provide a separate open space near the disputed complex where Muslims could offer Friday prayers between 1 pm and 3 pm until the matter was resolved.

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Following that order, the Muslim side alleged that the Dhar administration had not complied fully with the court’s direction. Petitioners argued that the location identified by the administration was around 1.3 kilometres away from the Bhojshala complex and did not meet the requirement of being a nearby place of worship. The petitioners had sought a location closer to the disputed site, saying that worshippers should be able to maintain a connection with the mosque area while offering prayers. The state government’s arrangements became a point of contention during the proceedings.

With its latest order, the Supreme Court has directed that prayers be allowed at the adjacent dargah premises while keeping open the possibility of finding another mutually agreed location. The decision provides temporary arrangements for Friday prayers as the broader dispute over the Bhojshala complex continues before the courts. The Bhojshala complex has been a long-standing point of religious and legal dispute, with both Hindu and Muslim groups asserting claims over its historical and religious significance. The final outcome of the case will determine the future status and management of the site.

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