Supreme Court to Re-assess the Bhojshala Dispute Amidst 1991 Worship Law Debates

The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea concerning the Bhojshala survey in Madhya Pradesh, claimed by two communities. This case ties into broader legal discussions about the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which aims to maintain the status quo of religious sites as of August 15, 1947.

The Supreme Court announced Thursday it will hear a plea challenging an order for a survey of the medieval-era Bhojshala in Madhya Pradesh, a site claimed by both Hindu and Muslim communities. This plea also pertains to the ongoing legal debates surrounding the 1991 Places of Worship Act, which seeks to prevent changes to the religious character of sites.

A bench, including Justices Hrishikesh Roy and S V N Bhatti, cited a December 12 order that prohibits courts from processing new lawsuits on religious structure claims. The bench instructed their registry to consult Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and link the proceedings to pending petitions.

During hearings, Hindu advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain argued that the Bhojshala's situation, protected by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), is distinct. The Supreme Court previously refrained from halting a scientific survey but mandated no actions without permission on its results. The structure serves dual religious purposes under ASI's 2003 arrangement, allowing both Hindu and Muslim prayers on different days.

(With inputs from agencies.)