Bhojshala-Kamal Maula case: Muslim party moves Supreme Court alleging non-compliance over site for Friday prayers

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a plea alleging non-compliance with its interim order permitting Muslims to offer Friday prayers near the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The Muslim party claims that the land allotted is two kilometres away from the site, contrary to the court's July 14 order. The dispute concerns the religious character of the area, with Hindus claiming it as an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and Muslims considering it a mosque.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear on Friday a plea alleging non-compliance with its interim order permitting Muslims to offer Friday prayers near the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex. The Muslim party, represented by Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, submitted that the land was to be granted near the disputed site, but the allotted site is around two kilometres away. This development matters as it highlights the ongoing dispute over the religious character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh.

The dispute concerns the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex, which is claimed by Hindus as an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and by Muslims as the Kamal Maula Mosque. On May 15, the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared that the religious character of the disputed area is that of a temple. It quashed a 2003 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order permitting Muslims to offer namaz at the site and observed that the Muslim community could seek alternative land from the State for construction of a mosque.

The Supreme Court's decision to hear the plea alleging non-compliance with its interim order is significant as it highlights the ongoing dispute over the religious character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex. The Muslim party's claim that the land allotted is two kilometres away from the site raises questions about the implementation of the court's orders. It remains to be seen how the Supreme Court will address this issue and what implications it may have for the parties involved.

The outcome of this matter has not yet been reported, but the Supreme Court's decision to hear the plea alleging non-compliance with its interim order is a significant development in the ongoing dispute over the religious character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex. Practitioners should closely follow this case as it may have implications for the implementation of court orders and the resolution of similar disputes.