Muslim Community Holds Friday Prayers Near Bhojshala Amid Tight Security

In a significant development, the Muslim community held Friday prayers near the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Madhya Pradesh, following a Supreme Court ruling. The event took place under heavy police security, with over 150 attendees participating despite rainy weather. The court's directive allowed prayers at a designated site, marking the first large gathering since the complex was declared a temple. The administration coordinated with community representatives to ensure a peaceful observance, highlighting the ongoing dialogue between the two sides. This event underscores the complexities surrounding religious practices in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 31, 2026, 19:12 IST

Friday Prayers Conducted Under Police Protection

Following the Supreme Court's approval, the Muslim community gathered on Friday to perform prayers near the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district, amidst stringent police security. The district administration announced that after discussions with representatives of the Muslim community, Survey Number 612 was designated as the prayer site.

This marked the first significant gathering for Friday prayers since the Madhya Pradesh High Court declared the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in May.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court instructed the state government to allow the Muslim community to pray at the adjacent Dargah complex from 1 PM to 2 PM on Friday. Following this directive, the district administration made the necessary arrangements for the prayers. Officials reported that over 150 individuals arrived for prayers around 2:30 PM.

Despite the rain, the community proceeded with their prayers at the designated location. Prior to the prayers, a meeting took place between the district administration and representatives of the Muslim community. To ensure safety, barricades were erected around the Bhojshala complex, and a significant police presence was deployed in the area.

Abdul Samad, a member of the Kamal Maulana Welfare Society representing the Muslim side, stated that they presented their demands to the Supreme Court, which took the matter seriously and ordered prayers to be held in the area adjacent to the Kamal Maula mosque. He mentioned that the court referred to Survey Numbers 611, 612, and 596, instructing arrangements for prayers in the available space.

Samad added that with the administration's cooperation, they conducted prayers at Survey Number 612, intentionally leaving out Survey Number 611 to avoid hurting anyone's sentiments or beliefs. Additional Superintendent of Police Vijay Dawar noted that there had been ongoing communication with the Muslim community since Thursday evening. The administration and police department reached a mutual agreement to conduct the prayers peacefully at the designated location.

During the prayers, approximately 800 to 900 police personnel were deployed, including members of the Special Task Force (STF). Surveillance was also conducted via CCTV in sensitive areas of the city to maintain public order.

Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Rajkumar Haldhar confirmed that around 150 individuals peacefully performed prayers at Survey Number 612, thanks to the arrangements made by the administration. Earlier, Dhar's District Collector Rajiv Ranjan Meena had stated that all necessary administrative measures for the prayers had been implemented. The Madhya Pradesh High Court had recognized the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in its May ruling, overturning an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) order from 2003 that allowed the Muslim community to pray in the complex on Fridays.

The High Court's bench stated in its 242-page ruling that the religious nature of this 11th-century monument had been established based on scientific evidence. The court also clarified that the Muslim side could request the state government for separate land for mosque construction. Subsequently, the Muslim representatives approached the Supreme Court, which granted permission for Friday prayers at the Dargah complex adjacent to the disputed site.

Following this, community representatives and the district administration identified Survey Number 612 as the prayer location.