The Aryavarth Express
Dhar (Madhya Pradesh):
Basant Panchami prayers and celebrations commenced peacefully on Friday at the Bhojshala–Kamal Maula complex in Dhar after a Supreme Court order allowed both Hindu and Muslim communities to perform their respective religious rituals at the disputed site.
Devotees began the Akhand Puja early in the day, with the district administration arranging separate spaces for Hindu rituals and Muslim prayers in line with the court’s directive. “Akhand puja has started here. The administration will provide a separate space for offering namaz. Preparations and arrangements have been made well,” a devotee said.
Ashok Jain, patron of the Bhoj Utsav Committee, said the atmosphere was celebratory. “The puja has begun and will continue throughout the day. There is happiness among the people. Pooja rituals, aarti, and a Dharma Sabha will be held,” he said.
Security arrangements at the complex were significantly tightened following the Supreme Court’s order. Horse-mounted police, personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed across the area.
Superintendent of Police Mayank Awasthi said comprehensive security measures were in place. “Dhar has been divided into seven zones, each monitored by SP-level officers. Real-time monitoring through drones and CCTV cameras is underway, and AI technology is being used to detect any abnormal activity. Drones will also monitor the Shobha Yatra route. As per Supreme Court orders, separate entry and exit points have been arranged,” he said.
Dhar District Collector Priyank Mishra assured smooth conduct of the celebrations. “Everything will happen without any hindrance,” he said.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court ordered an interim arrangement at the Bhojshala–Kamal Maula complex to facilitate religious practices by both communities on Basant Panchami, which coincided with Friday prayers (Jumuah). The order was passed by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant while hearing a plea seeking a ban on offering namaz from sunrise to sunset on the festival day.
The court directed the district administration to provide separate and exclusive spaces, including separate entry and exit points, for both communities and to take preventive measures to avoid any untoward incident.
The Bhojshala–Kamal Maula complex, a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India, holds religious significance for both communities. Hindus regard the site as Bhojshala, associated with Goddess Saraswati, while Muslims consider it the Kamal Maula mosque.
Meanwhile, Basant Panchami was celebrated across the country, with devotees gathering in large numbers at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj during the Magh Mela to take holy dips. Similar celebrations were observed in Ayodhya, where devotees bathed at Saryu Ghat, and in Ujjain, where a special Bhasma Aarti was performed at the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple.
