Following the Supreme Court's interim order in the long-running Bhojshala dispute, the Dhar district administration has designated the Chalis Pir complex, located around 2 kilometres from the Bhojshala premises, as the venue for Friday prayers. However, the Muslim community has rejected the arrangement, arguing that it does not reflect the spirit of the apex court's directions.

The decision was taken during a meeting between district officials and representatives of the Muslim community on Friday. The administration allotted the Chalis Pir premises in Maliwada for Friday prayers every week between 1 pm and 3 pm, citing security and law-and-order considerations.

Muslim Community Rejects New Venue

Members of the Muslim community expressed dissatisfaction with the decision and announced that they would not offer prayers at the newly designated site.

Community president Abdul Samad said the administration had selected a location nearly two kilometres away from the disputed Bhojshala complex, which, according to him, was inconsistent with the Supreme Court's observations.

He maintained that when prayers were earlier offered near the Bhojshala premises, no law-and-order issues had arisen, and there had been no disturbance even after the practice was discontinued.

Allegations Over Administrative Meeting

The Muslim side also criticised the manner in which the meeting was conducted.

According to Abdul Samad, senior community members were made to wait for nearly three hours before being informed of the administration's decision. He alleged that the Supreme Court's interim order had been interpreted incorrectly and that the venue allocated was far from the disputed site.

The community has indicated that it will challenge the decision through legal channels and reiterated that Friday prayers would not be held at the Chalis Pir complex.

Reference to Earlier Arrangement

Community representatives also referred to an earlier arrangement made during Basant Panchami in January, when prayers were reportedly offered at a temporary location near a graveyard. They argued that a cemetery is not considered an appropriate place for regular Friday congregational prayers and said this issue had already been brought before the Supreme Court.

For the current Friday, worshippers instead offered prayers at various mosques across Dhar under the temporary arrangement.

Background of the Bhojshala Case

The Bhojshala complex in Dhar has remained the subject of a long-standing legal dispute between Hindu and Muslim parties over religious rights at the site.

The matter reached the Supreme Court after the Muslim side challenged a Madhya Pradesh High Court order delivered on May 15, 2026. During the hearing on July 14, the Supreme Court directed the state government to make arrangements for Friday prayers at a suitable open space near the Bhojshala premises between 1 pm and 3 pm, pending further proceedings.

Following that order, the district administration identified the Chalis Pir complex as the alternative prayer venue. However, the Muslim community has opposed the arrangement, setting the stage for further legal proceedings as the dispute continues.