The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a set of petitions challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court decision that declared the contested 11th-century Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque monument in Dhar district to be a temple.
Supreme Court To Schedule Hearing
During a Monday session, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohna instructed the appellants to address existing defects in their petitions. The Chief Justice assured the legal counsel that the case would be scheduled for a hearing before a bench shortly after those corrections are made.
The court’s decision to list the appeals followed an urgent hearing request presented by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi and advocate Nizam Pasha on behalf of the Muslim appellants.
High Court Ruling Stripped Prayer Rights
The legal battle escalated after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled on May 15 that the disputed complex is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. Alongside this declaration, the High Court struck down a decades-old directive by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that had permitted members of the Muslim community to perform Friday prayers at the site.
Furthermore, the High Court directed that the central government and the ASI hold the authority to determine the future management and administration of the Dhar district complex.
Contested Legacy Of The Monument
The state-protected site has long been claimed by both communities. Hindu groups worship at the site as Bhojshala, a temple built for Goddess Saraswati. Conversely, the Muslim community recognizes the structure as the Kamal Maula Mosque.
In response to the Muslim side’s appeals against the High Court decision, Hindu parties have filed caveats in the Supreme Court. The caveats formally request that the apex court refrain from issuing any orders or judgments on the dispute without first providing the Hindu side an opportunity to present their arguments.
