Supreme Court Allows Hindu, Muslim Prayers At Bhojshala On Basant Panchami, Sets Time Slots
In a significant development ahead of Basant Panchami, the Supreme Court of India has permitted both Hindus and Muslims to offer prayers at the Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday, January 23, 2026. The apex court laid down clear time slots and operational guidelines to prevent any conflict and ensure peaceful observance at the disputed site.
The 11th-century Bhojshala complex, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a national monument, has long been at the centre of religious claims and communal sensitivities. Hindus believe the site to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims worship there as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The site’s religious importance becomes especially sensitive when major Hindu festivals and weekly Friday prayers coincide, as is the case this year.
On Thursday, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, clarified that Hindus will be allowed to perform rituals and prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami, a festival associated with the worship of Goddess Saraswati.
The 11th-century Bhojshala complex, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a national monument, has long been at the centre of religious claims and communal sensitivities. Hindus believe the site to be a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims worship there as the Kamal Maula Mosque. The site’s religious importance becomes especially sensitive when major Hindu festivals and weekly Friday prayers coincide, as is the case this year.
On Thursday, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, clarified that Hindus will be allowed to perform rituals and prayers from sunrise to sunset on Basant Panchami, a festival associated with the worship of Goddess Saraswati.
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