A sound judgment

The judgment of the Bombay high court allowing women to enter the inner sanctum of Haji Ali is based on the “essential religious practices” (ERP) test. The ERP theory is based on the essential beliefs and practices on which a religion is found. The banning of entry of women does not show that this practice was an integral or essential practice is Islam. Another of the reasons for the ban that a woman’s close proximity to the Prophet is disrespectful is flawed. It would be astounding to note that the Quran does not support gender inequality, which the bench did not lay much stress on, but utilised the ERP test in the appropriate manner.

Daksha Chouksey

Pune

end-of