New Delhi witnessed a crucial Supreme Court intervention in the Bhojshala controversy, greenlighting Saraswati puja on Vasant Panchami alongside Friday namaz at the Dhar site. Delivered by a three-judge bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud, the order sets clear timelines and segregations to ensure smooth conduct.
Hindu Front for Justice had petitioned to bar namaz, arguing the full-day puja from sunrise to sunset holds profound significance, potentially disrupted by other activities. Senior advocate Salman Khurshid, for the mosque committee, countered with historical precedents of shared observances on similar dates.
Rejecting exclusive claims, the apex court mandated namaz between 1-3 PM in a cordoned-off section, with passes for participants and distinct access routes. Puja areas remain unrestricted temporally. The state government’s pinpointed prayer spot within premises was hailed as proactive.
‘Peace and harmony supersede all,’ the bench asserted, instructing police to maintain order. This pragmatic approach sidesteps the case’s core merits, focusing solely on January 23 arrangements. Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing Hindus, highlighted devotee sensitivities, but the court prioritized mutual accommodation.
As Madhya Pradesh ramps up preparations, this ruling could set a template for managing overlapping religious claims nationwide. The site’s dual identity—temple for Hindus, mosque for Muslims—continues to stir debates, yet today’s decision promotes tolerance amid fervor.