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Hindus Allowed to Worship at Bhojshala Every Tuesday
(February 27, 2003)

          NEW DELHI: The Centre has agreed to the proposal of the Madhya Pradesh Government to resolve the Dhar Bhojshala issue by allowing both Hindus and Muslims access to the premises, claimed to be an ancient Saraswati temple. Accepting the proposal, the Centre is understood to have advised the State Government to allow access to Hindus between 9 am and 5 pm on all Tuesdays.

          The Bhojshala, an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) monument, came into prominence with the VHP challenging the State Government orders that allowed Hindus to perform puja at the site only once a year, on Basant Panchami. The 1997 order of the State allowed Muslims access to the premises every Friday. On all other week days barring Tuesday and Friday entry to the premises would be governed by the regulations of the ASI. The new proposal is likely to put to an end the controversy over the issue that threatened peace in Malwa region.

    
SC Puts Off Ayodhya Hearing to March 6 (Go To Top)
(February 21, 2003)

                   NEW DELH: The hearing of the application filed by the Central Government seeking vacation of its interim order banning all kinds of religious activities in the 67-acre acquired land around the disputed structure at Ayodhya will take place on March 6. A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court will hear the matter, the Supreme Court announced on Friday.

         Despite objections by the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board, Babri Masjid Movement Co-ordination Committee and others, a Bench comprising Chief Justice VN Khare and Justice AR Lakshmanan agreed with the Centre saying "we feel it is just and expedient if the application for early hearing is listed before a five-judge Constitution Bench on March 6 along with the main petition."

           The Government in its application had sought vacation of the March 13/14, 2002 interim order of the Supreme Court that banned all kinds of religious activities in the acquired land. Opening the arguments, solicitor-general Kirit N Raval said the matter brooks no delay as the uncertainty prevailing on the acquired land was not in the public interest. Opposing the Centre's plea, AIMPLB counsel Kapil Sibal said the Government is not stating the actual reason behind the hurry. According to him, the VHP has threatened to enter the site forcibly in March if the Government did not resolve the issue. "That is why they have rushed to the court," Sibal stated.

Proposal to Resolve Bhojshala Shrine Dispute (Go To Top)
(February 21, 2003)

          DHAR (MP): Puja will be on Tuesdays from 9 am to 11 am and namaaz on Fridays from 1 pm to 3 pm at Bhojshala-Kamal Moula shrine here. This recommendation, which also includes the suggestion to keep the disputed site open for tourists throughout the week at a taken fee, has been sent to the State Government, district collector Sanjay Dubey informed correspondents here on Friday.

           An all-party meeting called by the district administration on February 19 had expressed itself in favour of opening the Bhojshala site to the public, based on which the district administration has forwarded its recommendations to the State Government, he said. The Hindu Jagran Manch tried to storm the temple on Tuesday demanding opening of the locks of Bhojshala, when they were stopped by the police leading to the arrest of around 150 activists.