As Hindu and Muslim communities prepare to visit the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex for prayers on January 23, the Dhar district administration has enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. Over 8,000 police personnel and the Rapid Action Force have been deployed for security, with a no-fly zone declared within a 300-meter radius of the complex.
District collector Priyank Garg emphasized the administration’s readiness for the Basant Panchami festival, focusing on maintaining law and order. He urged media and social platforms to avoid misinterpretation of the Supreme Court’s directive regarding religious prayers at the site, warning against any content inciting religious discord. The administration has engaged in community meetings to foster understanding and trust, with advanced security measures including AI, LiDAR, and 3D mapping in place.
Security arrangements also involve a central control room for live monitoring, AI-enabled drones for crowd surveillance, and deployment of numerous police personnel and RAF platoons. The Supreme Court has permitted Hindu prayers from sunrise to sunset and Muslim namaz from 1 pm to 3 pm on Basant Panchami, urging cooperation for peaceful observance. The dispute stems from differing beliefs, with Hindus viewing Bhojshala as a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and Muslims as Kamal Maula mosque, following a shared worship arrangement since 2003.
