SC orders MP to locate adjacent prayer site near Bhojshala

The Supreme Court has directed the Madhya Pradesh government to urgently find a location adjacent to the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula complex for Muslim Friday prayers, after hearing objections that a previously allocated site was too far away. The court's order on Wednesday, July 22, came during a hearing on an application filed by Muslim parties alleging non-compliance with its interim directive from July 14.

Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the Muslim side, told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant that the land provided by the state administration was nearly two kilometers from the complex in Dhar district, contravening the court's instruction to provide an "adjacent" space. He stated that the community had already missed one Friday prayer due to the distance. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh and Union governments, disputed the measurement, saying the allotted site was approximately 900 meters away. He assured the court he had already asked authorities to identify a nearer location and that the process was ongoing.

The bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, emphasized that its July 14...