Tensions simmered down at India’s top court as it ruled in favor of dual religious observances at Dhar’s Bhojshala complex on the upcoming Vasant Panchami-cum-Friday. The directive, from Justices DY Chandrachud, J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, carves out practical solutions for coexisting rituals.
Urgent hearings stemmed from Hindu pleas for puja exclusivity, citing the day’s all-encompassing nature from dawn till dusk. Mosque advocates invoked prior successful dual events, resisting one-sided curbs. The bench balanced scales by allocating timed namaz (1-3 PM) in a dedicated, pass-controlled zone with independent ingress-egress.
Puja proceeds sans temporal bounds in separate vicinities. State officials revealed pre-scouted prayer locales, earning court nods. ‘Harmony paramount,’ CJI remarked, tasking authorities with airtight security.
Vishnu Shankar Jain articulated Hindu apprehensions over interruptions, yet the ruling champions inclusive arrangements. No comment on substantive claims; purely logistical for now.
With Madhya Pradesh mobilizing forces, this could avert potential standoffs, modeling conflict resolution through equity. Bhojshala’s enduring tussle underscores persistent identity battles, but the order spotlights pragmatism over polarization.