MP lobs Bhojshala ball back at Centre

Charging the Centre with deliberately creating a law and order problem over the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula mosque issue, the Madhya Pradesh Gover...

Charging the Centre with deliberately creating a law and order problem over the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula mosque issue, the Madhya Pradesh Government today said it can keep the shrine open for Hindus from dawn to dusk every Tuesday only after receiving a specific order in this regard either from the Centre or the Archeological Survey of India.

State Home Minister Mahendra Boudh told reporters that his government had no power to change the timings for keeping the monument open. He said if a clear order was issued then the state would have no choice but to implement it and ‘‘this would also clarify what the Centre has in mind’’.

The letter dispatched by the state to the ASI today is sixth in a row of correspondence that began on February 13. The government now insists that since the current restrictions were a result of the ASI’s 1998 order, it needs a specific order from the ASI to change the timings.

Story continues below this ad

In March, the ASI had asked the MP government to implement Union Tourism Minister Jagmohan ‘‘suggestions’’ that Hindus be allowed to worship at Bhojshala on Tuesdays. But the Centre, while announcing the concessions to Hindus, had refrained from issuing any order.

A reason for the Centre and ASI’s dithering over the issue is the March 6 communication by the state which refers to specific provisions under the law: ‘‘In taking a final view of the matter, the ASI/Ministry of Tourism and Culture may also like to keep the provisions of Section 16 (1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and Section 3 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 in mind.’’ Both Sections broadly refer to the fact that there should be no change in the character of a protected shrine.

Trump accepts tariffs caused ‘rift with India,’ says it wasn’t an easy thing to do

World6 hr ago

Trump acknowledges that steep tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil have strained relations between the two countries. Talks to reduce tariffs have stalled as India resists opening its agricultural and dairy sectors. Despite the rift, Trump signals a potential reset and his nominee for ambassador to India says progress is likely.

View all shorts

Live Blog