Muslims in Dhar refused to perform Friday prayers on the land allocated for this purpose by the district administration, as it is located 1.5 km from the Bhoshala complex.
Community leaders said that despite the Supreme Court’s directive to provide land near the complex, the administration has allotted a site near the Chalis Pir shrine in Maliwada village.
On Tuesday, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalia Bagchi and V Mohana, refused to stay the Madhya Pradesh High Court ruling that recognized the Bhoshala temple-Kamal Maula mosque complex as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. However, the court directed the authorities to allocate an open space “adjacent or close to” the complex for Friday prayers between 1pm and 3pm.
Read also: Supreme Court refuses to restore prayers at Bhoshala, orders Friday prayers to be held at a nearby location
The district administration received the Supreme Court order at noon on Friday and held a meeting with Hindu and Muslim leaders. During the meeting, Dhar Sadar (local Muslim leader) Abdul Samad requested land adjacent to the Bhojshala complex, where Sufi gatherings/urs are traditionally held, but he refused to perform Friday prayers at the burial ground adjacent to the Bhojshala site and was granted it during Basant Panchami in January this year for Friday prayers.
Muslims reject the site allocated by the administration
The administration then urged the community to use the Chalees Peer website, but Muslims rejected the offer and chose to pray at local mosques.
“When the Supreme Court asked for grant of land near Bhojshala, why did they choose a site 1.5 km away? They are trying to evict us from the area. We will take the matter to the Supreme Court during the August 5 session,” Abdul Samad said.
Local activist K Alas said that the administration was practicing injustice and hurting religious sentiments.
Also Read: Dhar’s Bhojshala Location is Saraswati Temple, Madhya Pradesh High Court Rules
However, Bhoshala Temple Committee member Gopal Sharma said the Supreme Court had asked for land outside the ASI-protected Bhoshala complex and hence the administration can allot land 300 meters away from the memorial.
The administration defends the decision
District Collector Rajeev Ranjan Meena defended the administration’s decision and said, “The Supreme Court has asked to provide land in an open space. The land that has been completed is nearby and suitable for Friday prayers. We cannot allow prayers in a crowded area near Bhojshala as it may pose a law and order problem.”
He added: “Now we will hold meetings with Muslims again so that the next Friday prayers can be held without any problem.”
Also Read: ‘We will study SC order, take appropriate steps’, says Collector on Bhojshala case
