Bhojshala Dhar Madhya Pradesh: Supreme Court delivers verdict on petition seeking permission for continuous Saraswati Puja on Basant Panchami
Bhojshala Dhar Madhya Pradesh: The Supreme Court has directed the Hindu community to perform prayers at the Bhojshala in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, until 12 noon. Following this, the Muslim community will offer prayers. The Hindu community will then be able to resume their prayers from 4 PM onwards.
The Hindu community had filed a petition on January 20 seeking permission for continuous Saraswati Puja throughout the day on Basant Panchami, which falls on January 23. The Supreme Court delivered its verdict on this matter on January 22. The case was heard by a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi, and Vipul Pancholi.
During the hearing, the lawyer for the Hindu community stated that Basant Panchami has been falling on a Friday for the past few years. He said that Basant Panchami is tomorrow, and prayers, havans (fire rituals), and traditional ceremonies will be performed from sunrise to sunset.
All necessary arrangements would be made: ASI
The lawyer for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) assured the court that all necessary arrangements would be made to maintain law and order, as has been done in previous years.
Namaz between 1 PM and 3 PM
The mosque committee stated that they would vacate the premises after prayers.
The lawyer for the mosque committee said that prayers would be offered between 1 PM and 3 PM, after which the premises would be vacated. The Hindu community suggested that prayers be held after 5 PM so that their puja could continue uninterrupted. The mosque committee clarified that the time for Friday prayers (Juma prayers) could not be changed, but the timings for other prayers could be adjusted.
Separate areas will be provided for Namaz and Hindu worship: SC
Adopting a balanced approach, the Supreme Court stated that a separate and designated area within the premises would be provided for Namaz between 1 PM and 3 PM, with separate entry and exit routes, to ensure that Namaz is offered peacefully.
Similarly, a separate space will also be provided to the Hindu community within the premises to perform their traditional religious rituals on the occasion of Basant Panchami.
The court clarified that this arrangement has been made to maintain communal harmony and law and order. The administration and the ASI have been instructed to ensure that there is no disruption to the religious activities of either community and that peace is maintained.