Request for Friday Prayers Outside Bhojshala Complex in Madhya Pradesh
The Bhoj Seva Sansthan Committee has submitted a memorandum to the Dhar Collector, requesting arrangements for Friday prayers outside the Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh. This follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that allows prayers to be held in open spaces outside the complex, differing from earlier directives. The committee emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and preventing disruptions to Hindu worship. The Supreme Court has instructed the state government to facilitate these prayers in a designated area, ensuring communal harmony is upheld. Read on for more details about this significant development.
| Jul 17, 2026, 17:42 IST
Memorandum Submitted for Prayer Arrangements
The Bhoj Seva Sansthan Committee presented a memorandum to the Dhar Collector on Friday, urging the administration to facilitate Friday prayers outside the regulated zone of 300 meters around the Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh. Following the submission, Gopal Sharma, the coordinator of the Bhojshala Mukti Yagya, stated that a recent Supreme Court ruling permits prayers to be held in open spaces outside the Bhojshala complex, differing from the previous arrangements announced for Vasant Panchami.
Supreme Court's Clear Directive
Sharma informed a news agency that the Supreme Court's order explicitly states that prayers should be conducted outside the Bhojshala complex. Earlier, in January's Vasant Panchami directive, the court had instructed that prayers be held inside the complex or at another location. At that time, concerns were raised about how prayers could be conducted in a cemetery. The latest Supreme Court ruling now allows prayers to be held in any open area outside the Bhojshala complex, whether nearby or at a distance.
Maintaining Peace and Harmony
He further explained that there is a protected area of 100 meters and a controlled area of 300 meters around Bhojshala. While they welcome prayers to be held anywhere outside the 300-meter radius, they insist that it should not occur within the Bhojshala complex to avoid disrupting Hindu worship. To ensure that future prayers and worship do not disturb the peace in the city, they have submitted a memorandum to the administration requesting arrangements to prevent any disputes and maintain communal harmony.
Supreme Court Hearing Update
Lawyer Shirish Dubey mentioned that the order from the Supreme Court hearing held on July 14 was uploaded on Friday. The court directed the state government to arrange for the Muslim community to conduct prayers in an open area near or slightly away from the protected Bhojshala complex between 1 PM and 3 PM on Fridays.