Supreme Court Sets July 30 Hearing for Dhar Bhojshala Namaz Site Dispute
The Supreme Court will review claims that Madhya Pradesh authorities failed to provide a proximal prayer site for Muslims near the Dhar Bhojshala complex. Counsel argues the state-mandated location is too distant, violating previous judicial directives.
Judicial Oversight of Prayer Relocation
The Supreme Court of India scheduled a hearing for July 30, 2026, to address allegations that the Madhya Pradesh government failed to implement a court order regarding the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex. Chief Justice Surya Kant, leading a bench alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, moved the session forward after a July 29 hearing ended prematurely.
The dispute centers on a July 14 ruling that instructed state authorities to secure an open area immediately adjacent to the heritage site. This arrangement was intended to facilitate Friday prayers between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. until a final legal determination regarding the status of the complex is reached.
Contested Proximity and Compliance
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the Muslim side, formally challenged the District Collector’s current land allocation. His arguments focus on two primary issues:
- Distance: The currently allotted site sits 1.3 kilometers away from the disputed complex, which Ahmadi claims ignores the court’s call for an adjacent location.
- Accessibility: The petitioners suggest that vacant land in front of a nearby dargah would satisfy the court's requirements more effectively than the government’s proposed site.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, acting for the Madhya Pradesh government, maintained that the administration remains active in identifying suitable ground. Although Mehta asserted that a new location had been identified during recent meetings, Ahmadi dismissed the proposal as unsuitable and far removed from the primary site.
Evolving Legal Timeline
The current friction follows a Madhya Pradesh High Court judgment that categorized the site as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The Supreme Court stayed certain aspects of that ruling while mandating the interim prayer space. The July 30 session follows several scheduling shifts; the matter was initially raised on July 22 and July 24, but procedural delays and cause-list omissions prevented a full hearing until now.
Source: The Hindu — National
