New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) In a landmark ruling issued on Thursday, the Supreme Court has authorized both Basant Panchami worship and Friday namaz to take place at the contested Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex located in Dhar district of western Madhya Pradesh.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant was addressing an urgent petition submitted by the Hindu Front for Justice (HFJ), which requested exclusive rights for Hindus to conduct Saraswati Puja throughout the entirety of Basant Panchami, which falls on Friday, January 23.

The court laid down precise arrangements to facilitate both communities in conducting their respective religious practices. The Bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, ordered that namaz can be performed between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in a specifically designated area within the premises.

Moreover, the Supreme Court mandated that special passes be issued to those attending namaz.

Simultaneously, another area has been set aside for Basant Panchami worship, with no time limitations imposed.

During the proceedings, senior advocate Salman Khurshid, representing the mosque committee, noted that on at least three previous occasions—in 2006, 2013, and 2016—Basant Panchami coincided with Friday, and arrangements were made to accommodate both prayers and worship.

Khurshid further explained that Juma namaz occurs between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., after which the Muslim community members will vacate the site. Conversely, counsel for the Hindu side, Vishnu Shankar Jain, contended that Basant Panchami worship is traditionally observed throughout the day and thus requested uninterrupted access for devotees from sunrise to sunset.

The CJI Kant-led Bench remarked that it would be prudent for the administration to implement arrangements allowing both communities to engage in their respective religious activities.

In its directive, the Supreme Court appealed to both parties to demonstrate mutual respect and collaborate with local authorities to uphold law and order.

The HFJ petition sought to prevent Muslims from conducting their Friday prayers at the site on January 23, advocating instead for exclusive Hindu worship on the occasion of Basant Panchami, alongside stringent security measures by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the state government.

The Bhojshala complex, recognized as a protected monument by the ASI, has long been embroiled in controversy, with Hindus asserting it as an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims claim it as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The overarching case regarding the religious status of the site remains unresolved before the Supreme Court.