The Supreme Court is set to consider a plea from the Hindu Front for Justice (HFJ) regarding exclusive Hindu prayer rights on Basant Panchami at the disputed Bhojshala Temple–Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh. The application, filed on January 2, 2026, by advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain on behalf of the HFJ, was urgently listed for a hearing on January 22, a day before Basant Panchami.
The plea seeks uninterrupted worship rights for Hindus throughout January 23, as the Archaeological Survey of India’s 2003 order does not address situations when Basant Panchami coincides with Friday prayers. The HFJ specifically requests exclusive access for Hindu rituals on Basant Panchami, citing past instances where similar arrangements were made.
The Bhojshala complex, claimed by Hindus as a temple dedicated to Goddess Vagdevi, is a protected monument under the ASI. Muslims, on the other hand, identify it as the Kamal Maula Mosque and emphasize the continuity of Islamic worship at the site. The plea also highlights the significance of Basant Panchami in Hinduism and the potential for religious tensions due to overlapping observances.
Local authorities in Dhar have heightened security measures ahead of January 23 to prevent any potential disturbances, with thousands of personnel deployed across the town.
