A visual of the Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Supreme Court, on Tuesday (July 14, 2026), issued notice to appeals filed by Muslim parties in connection with the Bhojshala temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex dispute in Madhya Pradesh. However, the court refused to pass any interim order of status quo.
A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said an open area or space adjacent to the disputed premises could be identified for the offering of namaaz (prayer) on Fridays between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. as an ad hoc measure till the case is decided by the Supreme Court.
The court further directed that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) not to make any structural alterations to the disputed structure without leave of the apex court.
On Monday (July 13, 2026), the court agreed to urgently list all petitions challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court order declaring the disputed Bhojshala complex a temple dedicated to goddess Saraswati. The Hindu community considers Bhojshala a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, while the Muslim side calls the 11th-century monument the Kamal Maula Mosque. The disputed complex in Dhar district is protected by the ASI.
Published – July 14, 2026 02:20 pm IST
