SC Allows Simultaneous Puja and Namaz at Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Complex

The Supreme Court on January 22 issued directions permitting simultaneous Basant Panchami puja and namaz at the ASI-protected Bhojshala Temple/Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. The order marks the latest development in the long-running dispute surrounding the 11th-century monument.

Background of the Dispute
The controversy over the Bhojshala–Kamal Maula complex has been ongoing since the early 2000s. The site has been a point of contention due to its dual religious significance for Hindus and Muslims.

Religious Practices at the Site
Under an arrangement with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the complex follows a regulated schedule:

• Puja by Hindus is performed every Tuesday
• Namaz by Muslims is offered every Friday

The Supreme Court’s direction reinforces the principle of shared access and coexistence at the protected monument.

Location and Islamic Significance
Located at the centre of Dhar city, around 250 km from Bhopal, the complex houses the tomb of Kamal al-Din, a revered Chishti saint and follower of Farid-al Din Ganj-i-Shakar and Nizam al-Din Auliya.

Historical Roots under King Bhoj
During the rule of the Parmar dynasty, King Bhoj (1000–1055 AD) envisioned Dhar as a major centre of learning. Celebrated as a master of 72 arts and 36 branches of weaponry, King Bhoj was a renowned patron of education, culture and literature.

Bhojshala as a Centre of Learning
According to the official website of the Madhya Pradesh government, King Bhoj founded an important educational institution in Dhar, which later came to be known as Bhojshala. Scholars and students from distant regions travelled to Dhar to pursue learning, establishing the city’s reputation as an intellectual hub in medieval India.