New Delhi, July 22: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea filed by the Muslim side alleging that the alternate site identified by the Madhya Pradesh government for offering Friday namaz is too far from the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar.
The matter has been listed for hearing on Friday, with the court directing the Madhya Pradesh government to respond.
Supreme Court Seeks Clarification on Alternate Namaz Site
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to obtain instructions from the Madhya Pradesh government on the possibility of providing an alternate prayer site adjacent to the disputed complex.
Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for the Muslim side, submitted that the Supreme Court had earlier directed the state to provide an open space near the Bhojshala complex for Friday prayers.
He alleged that the site identified by the authorities is about 2 km away from the disputed complex, making it difficult for worshippers.
Representing the Madhya Pradesh government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the alternate site is approximately 900 metres away. He also assured the bench that he would personally examine the issue and take corrective steps if necessary.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the court’s earlier directions must be implemented “in letter and spirit.”
The bench directed the Solicitor General to seek instructions from the state government regarding the feasibility of providing an adjacent site for namaz and scheduled the matter for hearing on Friday.
On July 14, the Supreme Court had directed the Madhya Pradesh government to provide a separate open space adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala complex for offering Friday namaz between 1 pm and 3 pm until the dispute is finally adjudicated.
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