Tight Security at Dhar’s Bhojshala as Supreme Court Allows Time-Sharing for Basant Panchami and Friday Prayers
Tight security arrangements have been put in place at the disputed Bhojshala–Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district, a site dating back to the 11th century. The heightened alert comes as the festival of Basant Panchami falls on a Friday this year, coinciding with weekly Friday prayers, a situation that raised concerns over potential communal tension.
To prevent any law-and-order issues, the Supreme Court stepped in and introduced a structured “time-sharing arrangement” that allows both Hindu and Muslim communities to perform their respective religious practices at the site on the same day. Under this arrangement, both prayers and rituals will take place according to clearly defined time slots.
Given the overlap between Basant Panchami celebrations and Friday namaz, the Bhojshala premises have effectively been turned into a high-security zone. Extensive deployment of police and paramilitary forces has been carried out, and visitors are being screened using metal detector scanners. The administration has taken no chances, ensuring that religious activities proceed peacefully and without disruption.
Over 8,000 security personnel deployed
More than 8,000 security personnel have been stationed in and around the complex. This includes district police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF), CRPF, Madhya Pradesh Armed Force, State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), and women police units. Authorities are also relying heavily on technology, with drones and CCTV cameras monitoring the area to quickly detect and respond to any untoward incident.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant ruled that religious activities at the site on January 23 would follow a strict schedule. According to the court’s order, members of the Hindu community are permitted to perform worship from sunrise to sunset. Meanwhile, the Muslim community has been granted permission to offer namaz between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
Supreme Court directs advance coordination
To ensure smooth coordination, the Supreme Court instructed the Muslim community to submit a list of individuals who would be participating in the namaz to the district administration in advance. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Suryakant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, urged both communities to maintain mutual respect and cooperate fully with state and district authorities to uphold peace and public order.
Extensive surveillance across Dhar
Barricades have been set up on roads leading to the Bhojshala complex, and security personnel are conducting thorough vehicle checks. Officials confirmed that over 200 CCTV cameras have been installed across Dhar, supported by aerial surveillance using around 10 drones. Social media platforms are also under constant monitoring to prevent the spread of misinformation or provocative content, with dedicated teams working round the clock.
Inside the Bhojshala premises, preparations for Basant Panchami are clearly visible. The worship area has been decorated with saffron flags, flowers, and colorful rangoli designs. The worship of Goddess Saraswati—also revered as Maa Vagdevī—is scheduled to begin at sunrise with traditional rituals and a havan, continuing throughout the day. Authorities stated that an oil painting of the goddess would be placed in the sanctum for the occasion.
Separate spaces for both communities
Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra clarified that separate areas have been earmarked for the two communities. He stated that the Hindu side would be allowed to worship at the location traditionally used for prayers, while a designated area has been allotted for the Muslim community to offer namaz. According to Mishra, both groups have been informed of these arrangements and have agreed to adhere to them.
Separate entry and exit routes have also been established to avoid any overlap. Only those individuals whose names have been officially submitted by the Muslim community will be allowed to participate in the namaz. Superintendent of Police Manish Awasthi confirmed that security forces are fully prepared to maintain law and order. He reiterated that nearly 8,000 personnel are on duty and that continuous surveillance through CCTV cameras and drones will remain in place throughout the day.