The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to grant interim permission for Friday namaz at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Madhya Pradesh but agreed to hear the long-pending dispute on a day-to-day basis.
Calling the matter a “sensitive issue,” a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohna, urged all parties to maintain patience while the case is heard.
No interim relief, alternate prayer space directed
The apex court refused the Muslim parties’ request to immediately restore Friday prayers at the Bhojshala complex.
Instead, it directed the Madhya Pradesh government to provide an open space adjacent to the site where members of the Muslim community can offer Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm until the matter is decided.
The court also ordered that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should not undertake any structural changes at the disputed site without prior permission from the Supreme Court.
Appeal challenges Madhya Pradesh High Court verdict
The Muslim parties have challenged the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s May 2026 judgment, which declared Bhojshala to be a temple and set aside the 2003 ASI arrangement that had allowed Muslims to offer Friday prayers at the site.
The petitioners have sought restoration of their right to offer namaz within the complex.
Long-standing dispute over Bhojshala
The Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex has remained at the centre of a long-standing religious and legal dispute.
The Hindu community maintains that Bhojshala is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi) and built during the reign of Raja Bhoj.
The Muslim community contends that the site has functioned as the Kamal Maula Mosque for centuries and seeks recognition of its religious rights.
Under a 2003 ASI arrangement, Hindus were allowed to worship on Tuesdays, while Muslims offered Friday prayers at the complex.
ASI survey findings
The dispute intensified after the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the ASI to conduct a scientific survey of the site in 2024.
Following a 98-day investigation, the ASI submitted a report exceeding 2,000 pages, stating that evidence suggested a large structure from the Parmar dynasty existed before the mosque and that parts of the present structure incorporated reused temple material.
The Hindu petitioners cite the ASI report, including inscriptions, sculptures and other artefacts, to support their claim that the site was originally a temple.
The Muslim parties, however, have challenged the report’s findings, alleging that it is biased and favours the Hindu petitioners.
The Supreme Court will now hear the matter on a day-to-day basis to resolve the decades-old dispute.
