Local BJP MP Savitri Thakur has supported demand for exclusive access to Hindus to pray on ‘Basant Panchmi’ on Friday at Bhojshala monument where Muslims too offer namaz, even as Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday asserted that it will ensure peace and follow the instructions of the Centre and court.
“Muslims can offer namaz in any nearby mosque and should provide the space for Hindus to hold prayers on Basant Panchami,” Ms Thakur said here as she led prayers near the controversial site on Tuesday evening even as the state administration remained on tenterhooks in the run-up to the festival.
State Health Minister Narottam Mishra, considered as the trouble-shooter for the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government, on Wednesday reviewed the law and order situation here in the wake of the row and voiced confidence that he will be able to convince right wing leader Vijay Singh Rathore who has demanded that Hindus be allowed the “dawn-to-dusk” access to perform puja at the 11th Century structure.
“The Hindu organisation people are our men and they will be convinced (to ensure peace). Directives of Centre and the High Court in regard to Bhojshala will be adhered to for peaceful Basant Panchami (festival on Friday) at the monument,” said Mr Mishra who also holds the charge as district Guardian Minister.
The minister met the district collector and superintendent of police.
Tension has been building up ahead of ‘Basant Panchmi’ after Mr Rathore demanded that Hindus be allowed the “dawn—to—dusk” access to perform puja despite the order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India last month.
The order stated that on Basant Panchami, Hindus will perform puja at Bhojshala from sunrise to 12 noon and from 3.30 PM to sunset, while Muslims will offer namaz between 1 PM and 3 PM.
Hindus consider Bhojshala as the temple of Goddess Wagdevi (Saraswati), whereas Muslims treat it as Kamal Moula mosque.
Mr Mishra also visited residence of Mr Rathore, the convenor of ‘Bhoj Ustav Samiti’
Meanwhile, the Congress lashed out at the right wing Hindu outfits, saying they were only going there to create divide between Hindus and Muslims.
“I appeal to everyone to maintain peace. But I am unable to understand why VHP people go and pray at a place where there is no idol and in fact people offer namaz....They only go there to create Hindu-Muslim divide in the minds of the people,” former Chief Minister Dijvijaya Singh said. The matter landed in the Madhya Pradesh High Court with a Dhar resident filing a petition seeking quashing of the ASI order.
The HC on Tuesday sought replies within three days from the Centre and the State government on the plea.
Mr Rathore had said that government should take “proper steps in time” with determination if it wants a permanent solution to the issue.
“We demand that we should be granted permission to offer puja from dawn to dusk continuously on Basant Panchami.
Maintaining law and order in Dhar is the responsibility of the State government. It is not binding on the government to follow the order of ASI,” he had said last week.
Representatives of Muslim community in Dhar met senior police officials and sought action against members of the right wing body for raising “anti-Muslim” slogans during a rally held recently.
In the normal course, Hindus are allowed to perform puja on Tuesdays, while Muslims offer namaz on Fridays. The structure is open to all on rest of the days. However, with Basant Panchami and Friday namaz clashing on February 12, both sides are refusing to give up their access to the 11th century monument, which many dub as “mini-Ayodhya“.
A similar crisis had erupted at the Bhojshala in 2003, 2006 and 2013, when Basant Panchami and Friday namaz coincided.
