A day before Basant Panchami, Hindu and Muslim groups on Thursday dug in heels over praying rights at the disputed Bhojshala monument in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar.

The Archaeological Survey of India, which protects the structure, has allowed Hindus to celebrate Basant Panchami at the site on Friday, but earmarked noon to 3.30pm for Muslims to offer namaz.

Kashi Sumeru Peeth Shankaracharya Narendranand Saraswati dismissed the ASI formula.