NEW DELHI:After the Supreme Court's directive on the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex, the Congress said on Tuesday that "comprehensive judgement" was required in the case to avert tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities.

 

The apex court on Tuesday refused to stay the Madhya Pradesh High Court's judgment declaring the disputed Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar as a Hindu temple, but directed the state government to provide a separate open space near the monument for members of the Muslim community to offer namaz on Fridays between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. as an ad-hoc arrangement.

 

Speaking to IANS, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit said: "I do not understand this. If a separate place is being given, it means the Supreme Court also believes the Muslim side has a claim. The matter should be decided accordingly. In my opinion, the Supreme Court should avoid such interim arrangements and examine the entire issue."

 

Emphasising that the matter is "sensitive", Dikshit added: "Whatever judgment it (Supreme Court) has to deliver should be comprehensive. Doing something partially and leaving the rest unresolved may unnecessarily create circumstances for tensions to increase."

 

Meanwhile, Congress leader Awaaz Hafeez accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of attempting to divert attention from real issues.

 

"They want to push people into Hindu-Muslim debates. It is the government's responsibility to ensure that conflicts between Hindus and Muslims don't take place in Madhya Pradesh," he said.

 

Congress leader Mukesh Nayak echoed that the sooner such disputes end in the country, the better it will be.

 

"The BJP is keeping the entire country focused on these controversies and diverting attention. There is no focus on employment, poverty, infrastructure, schools, or hospitals. This government is not paying attention to these issues. So once these issues come to an end and the government can frame narratives on issues that affect human lives," he told IANS.

 

Significantly, the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant-led bench appealed for restraint, saying that "both sides must have patience" and assured that the matter would be listed for final hearing at the earliest.

 

It also protected the existing condition of the protected monument by directing that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will not undertake any structural alterations without prior permission of the top court.

--IANS