SC allows Hindu prayers on Basant Panchami at disputed MP’s Bhojshala
text_fields
In the controversial Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district, the Supreme Court of India has permitted Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami on Friday, January 23, 2026, while allowing Muslims to perform namaz from 1 to 3 p.m. on the same day.
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Supreme Court also ordered the district administration to get a list of Muslims attending namaz.
Hindu and Muslim groups have sought nod for religious activities at the Bhojshala complex on January 23, 2026 (Friday) when Saraswati Puja will also be celebrated on the occasion of Basant Panchami.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi appealed to both sides to observe mutual respect and cooperate with the State and district administration for maintenance of law and order, PTI reported.
It directed the district administration to make law and order arrangements at the site for the offering of prayers.
Hindus consider Bhojshala, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected 11th-century monument, to be a temple dedicated to Vagdevi (Goddess Saraswati), while the Muslim community calls it Kamal Maula mosque.
Under an arrangement made by the ASI on April 7, 2003, Hindus perform puja on the Bhojshala premises on Tuesdays and Muslims offer namaz in the complex on Fridays.
