Archive · 23 Jan 2026
Shared Prayers at Disputed Bhojshala Site
There is a special day called Basant Panchami on 23 January, which is also a Friday.
The Supreme Court said that Hindus can pray from morning to afternoon, and then again in the evening, but Muslims can pray in the middle of the day at a special old building that both groups believe is important for their religion.
The police are there to keep everything peaceful.
Some people are happy with this decision, but others are not.
The building is very old and both Hindus and Muslims have been arguing about who should pray there and when.
The government and the police are trying to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.
The Supreme Court ordered shared prayer timings at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamaal Maula Mosque site in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
Hindus can worship from sunrise to 1 PM and from 3:30 PM to sunset, while Muslims can offer prayers from 1 PM to 3 PM.
Over 8,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order during the event.
The disputed structure is an 11th-century monument protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Political tensions have risen, with differing opinions on the prayer arrangements and the historical context of the dispute.
- Who
- Hindus and Muslims in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh
- What
- Supreme Court ruling on shared prayer timings at a disputed religious site
- When
- 23 January (Basant Panchami)
- Where
- Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh
- Why
- To manage religious tensions and allow both communities to pray at the disputed site
- Location
- Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh
- Date of Event
- 23 January (Basant Panchami)
- Disputed Structure
- Bhojshala-Kamaal Maula Mosque
- Hindu Prayer Timings
- Sunrise to 1 PM, 3:30 PM to sunset
- Muslim Prayer Timings
- 1 PM to 3 PM
- Security Personnel Deployed
- 8,000 (police, CRPF, Rapid Action Force, MP Armed Force, SRPF, women police units)
- Expected Hindu Devotees
- 30,000 to 50,000
- ASI Order Date
- 7 April 2003
Sources
High alert in Dhar for Basant Panchami: SC ruling allows Hindu and Muslim prayers
After SC order, heavy security at Bhojshala for Friday namaz, Basant Panchami prayers
Basant Panchami puja begins at Bhojshala amid tight security
Basant Panchami puja begins at Bhojshala site amid tight security in MP’s Dhar
Basant Panchami Puja Begins at Bhojshala in Dhar Under Tight Security
At Bhojshala, prayers proceed under SC order amid tight security; namaz scheduled for the afternoon
SC allows Hindus, Muslims to offer prayers at Bhojshala shrine
Saraswati Puja begins at Bhojshala under heavy security
Basant Panchami Prayers Begin At Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Following Court Top Order
Authorities allow Hindus to begin worship from sunrise at bhojshala
Peace prevails at Bhojshala complex as Hindus perform puja, Muslims offer namaz
We will build a grand temple of Goddess Vagdevi at Bhojshala after due legal process: VHP
Peace prevails at Bhojshala complex as Hindus perform Basant Panchami puja, Muslims offer namaz
Saraswati puja, Friday namaz converge at Bhojshala, under shadow of heavy security
Hindus worship from sunrise to sunset, Muslims offer namaz in the afternoon at Bhojshala
Bhojshala row: Basant Panchami prayers, Friday namaz held peacefully in MP's Dhar
