NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the existing arrangement at the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar would remain ad hoc and subject to the final outcome of the pending petitions. The court also assured both the Hindu and Muslim sides that it was prepared to hear the matter on a day-to-day basis to resolve the dispute.According to news agency PTI, the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohan was hearing a batch of appeals challenging the Madhya Pradesh high court’s May 15 judgment declaring the disputed Bhojshala complex in Dhar district a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.The court also directed that if the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carries out any structural alterations at the site, “they shall not be given effect to without its permission.” It clarified that the present arrangement for the Muslim side would remain temporary pending the final adjudication of the case. The top court has also directed separate open space to be provided to Muslims adjacent to disputed site for offering namaz on Friday between 1 and 3 pm. Calling the dispute highly sensitive, the bench reportedly urged restraint from all sides, “These are very sensitive matters. What is being said in court can unnecessarily create controversies or send wrong impression. We have to be very careful about every expression used.”According to PTI, The bench further observed, “This is the first time that the issue relating to the interim arrangement is coming before us. The high court’s order and the helplessness of the State in maintaining law and order are also being taken note of. Our view is that whatever arrangement is presently in place, the matter can be listed before an appropriate bench within 10 to 15 days.”The matter had been mentioned before the court on Monday by senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi and advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for the Muslim appellants, who sought an urgent hearing. The Chief Justice had then asked them to remove defects in the petitions and assured an early listing.On May 15, the Madhya Pradesh high court held that the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and quashed a decades-old ASI order that had permitted the Muslim community to offer Friday prayers at the site.
