DESCRIBING the Bombay High Court order on Friday directing the Maharashtra government to take proactive steps for ensuring compliance of law to prevent discrimination against women at places of worship as a “big victory for nari shakti,” the Bhumata Ranragini Brigade, spearheading the agitation for entry of women into the core shrine area of Shani Shingnapur temple, said their next target would the Sabarimala temple of Kerala, as also other places of worship across the country.
“Today’s Bombay High Court order is a big victory for nari shakti… it is a big slap across the face of those who tried to perpetuate archaic mindset and infringe on women’s rights,” said Trupti Desai, president, Bhumata Ranragini Brigade.
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Desai has become the face of women’s fight for right to pray and is set to break the age-old tradition at Shani Shingnapur temple where women have been prohibited from entering the core shrine area. The organisation said it would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press for a law to ensure women’s unhindered entry into places of worship across the country.
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Appealing to women to converge on Shani Shingnapur temple in big numbers on Saturday, Desai said she would lead women’s entry into the sanctum sanctorum.
“We will climb the platform where rock idol of Lord Shani had been installed and offer prayers. I appeal to all women to join us in breaking the centuries-old tradition,” she said. Desai also invited political parties in Maharashtra — which have played the role of spectators as women’s activists led the agitation — to join them.
Revealing that after places of worship in Maharashtra including temples and even Haji Ali Dargah, Desai said their movement would henceforth go national. “Our next target will be Sabarimala temple of Kerala where menstruating women are not allowed entry. Yeh jung jari rahengi. We will ensure women’s dignified entry in all places of worship,” she said.
Meanwhile, the villagers of Shani Shingnapur said they would approach the Supreme Court against the HC order.
“As far as we know, the High Court has said if men are allowed, women should also be allowed into the sanctum sanctorum. But since men are not allowed in the core shrine area of Shingnapur temple, where is the question of allowing women there,” asked sarpanch Balasaheb Bankar.
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After a meeting late Friday evening, Bankar said that the police have told them to allow Trupti Desai on the Shani platform, adding that he has sought time from the police till Monday to approach the Supreme Court. He said that they will resist the women’s attempt to enter the core shrine area Saturday.
On January 26, when Desai had led thousands of women to Shani Shingnapur, they were detained en route, and bundled out of Ahmednagar district.
Desai said she has now requested the chief minister to direct the district collector, the police and other authorities to ensure their unhindered entry into the inner core of Shingnapur temple.
“CM Devendra Fadnavis had himself told me that his government believed in equality of men and women and would ensure women’s entry into places of worship. The state government’s affidavit in High Court reflects the respect the government attaches to women’s rights,” Desai said.
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Ahmednagar district collector Anil Kawade was not available for comment despite repeated attempts.
Additional superintendent of police Sanjay Jadhav said he was away in Shirdi and has not decided anything. “I can’t say anything for now,” he said when asked about the High Court order.
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Bombay High Court
