Situation remains tensed but peaceful at Bhojshala in MP, both groups offer prayers at disputed site

Heavy security arrangements have been made at and around the the disputed site Bhojshala in the Dhar town of Madhya Pradesh to avert any untoward incident on the occasion of Basant Panchami today.

New Delhi: Amid tension over performing worship at the disputed site Bhojshala in Dhar town of Madhya Pradesh, the Bhoj Utsav Samiti on Friday shunned the site for conducting the special Basant Panchami puja on a day when the Muslims also have been allowed a two-hour slot for their `juma namaz` at the same place.

"We find people inside Bhojshala who have nothing to do with Sarawati puja . So, we will conduct our puja outside," Ashok Jain of the Bhoj Utsav Samiti said as he led the Hindu devotees outside the site.

A group Muslim people also offered prayers inside the disputed site. 

While the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had scheduled Friday in a way that allowed both Hindus and Muslims to use Bhojshala for their respective modes of worship, the Samiti had demanded that the Hindus be allowed to use the site for the whole day in view of Basant Panchami.

The administration made tight and elaborate security arrangements around Bhojshala to prevent any communal flareup.

Bhojshala is a site in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh of what was believed to be a Saraswati shrine built by Raja Bhoj, who ruled between circa 1000 and 1055, and the Kamal Maula mosque.