Muslims allowed to offer prayers at Bhojshala on Basant Panchami

A few policemen were injured and some media vehicles damaged in stone-pelting, official sources said, as the district administration deployed a large contingent of policemen to maintain peace and harmony.

Bhojshala complex, which is home to a Saraswati temple and Kamal Maula Mosque, is a protected monument under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and visited by both Hindus and Muslims on different days. The ownership of the complex has long been a matter of dispute between the two communities.

The ASI had allowed Hindus to perform Puja in Bhojshala the whole day today except between 12 pm and 3.30 pm, when Muslims were permitted to offer prayers there.

Under an arrangement, every Tuesday Hindus offer prayers at Bhojshala, while Muslims offer Namaz every Friday. On Basant Panchami, Hindus are allowed to perform puja at the monument the whole day. This year Basant Panchami coincided with Friday prayers leading to a tense situation.

A large number of saffron workers were protesting against the ASI decision to permit minority community to offer prayers at the site on a day when the Hindu festival is celebrated.

The festival began on a tense note in the town with Bhoj Utsav Samiti initially refusing to go inside Bhojshala, citing heavy police presence in the complex.

The Samiti, which organises the festival, relented and a few

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