Supreme Court hears Dhar Bhojshala case: How can both Saraswati Puja and Namaz be allowed on Basant Panchami? All eyes are on the court.

The Supreme Court will hear the Bhojshala dispute in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, today. ​​The Hindu side filed a petition in the Supreme Court on January 20, demanding permission for continuous Saraswati Puja throughout the day on Basant Panchami at the Dhar Bhojshala. Basant Panchami falls on a Friday this year, and on Fridays, members of the Muslim community offer Friday prayers at the Dhar Bhojshala. This is why the matter has reached the Supreme Court.

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court will hear the petition filed by the Hindu Front for Justice. Senior advocates Vishnu Shankar Jain and Harishankar Jain will present arguments on behalf of the Hindu Front for Justice. Senior advocate Salman Khurshid will represent the Baba Kamal Maulana Welfare Society.

Why did the dispute reach the Supreme Court?

The Bhojshala in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, is an ASI-protected monument. The Hindu side considers it a temple of Goddess Saraswati.

It also houses the tomb of Maulana Kamaluddin, where the Muslim community offers prayers.

In the 18th century, the British government conducted excavations here, during which an idol of Goddess Saraswati was found. The British took this idol to London, where it remains in the London Museum today.

Efforts are underway to bring back this idol of Goddess Saraswati. Both sides claim ownership of this monument.

According to the order issued by the ASI, the Hindu side is allowed to perform puja in the Bhojshala complex every Tuesday, and Muslims are allowed to offer prayers in the Bhojshala complex every Friday.

This year, Basant Panchami falls on a Friday. ​​Therefore, the Hindu side has approached the Supreme Court demanding permission to perform Saraswati Puja throughout the day.

Strict Security Arrangements

Due to the Supreme Court hearing on the Dhar Bhojshala dispute, strict security arrangements have been made in Dhar. More than eight thousand police personnel have been deployed in Dhar. Continuous surveillance is being maintained through CCTV cameras. Police are constantly patrolling various areas. Strict security arrangements have also been made at the Dhar Bhojshala. Watchtowers and police posts have been set up, and police are patrolling sensitive areas.