The Supreme Court delivered a nuanced order on Thursday, allowing uninterrupted Saraswati worship and scheduled Friday prayers at Madhya Pradesh’s contentious Bhojshala on January 23, Vasant Panchami. This comes after fervent arguments from both Hindu and Muslim sides in a packed courtroom.
Petitioners from Hindu organizations stressed the festival’s sanctity, demanding sole possession to avoid emotional hurt during all-day rituals. The opposition, via Salman Khurshid, pointed to thrice-repeated harmonious celebrations in past overlaps, advocating status quo.
CJI-led bench devised a compartmentalized plan: Muslims to offer namaz 1 PM-3 PM at a state-identified enclave inside the premises, backed by entry passes and segregated paths. Hindus get open-ended puja slots with parallel facilities. Additional Solicitor General M Natarajan confirmed government’s readiness.
Explicitly avoiding merits, the court spotlighted administrative ingenuity for ‘social concord.’ Directions include quantifying namaz attendees for crowd control. Dhar’s administration now shoulders ensuring seamless execution sans friction.
This verdict reflects judicial wisdom in polarizing disputes, reinforcing India’s syncretic ethos. While litigation lingers, the immediate focus shifts to January 23’s logistics, where disciplined devotion could exemplify unity in diversity.