The Shiv Sena and Opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have welcomed the Bombay high court decision to direct the state government to take necessary steps to allow women enter the Shani Temple
The Shiv Sena and Opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have welcomed the Bombay high court decision to direct the state government to take necessary steps to allow women enter the Shani Temple at Shani Shingnapur in Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra.
The Bombay high court has directed that there should be no gender discrimination while entering a place of worship. The high court has directed the state government to implement the Right to Pray.
Welcoming the high court verdict, Kiran Moghe, President, All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), said, “This is an important step towards strengthening the constitutional principle of gender equality and strengthening a rational approach to traditional beliefs and customs. The state government must immediately issue a fresh circular to all temple managements to allow women into the sanctum sanctorum of temples in accordance with the state’s Hindu Places of Worship (entry authorisation) Act.” Ms Moghe demanded the government also instruct the Ahmednagar district administration and police to facilitate entry of women into the inner sanctum of Shani Shingnapur Temple and take action against anyone preventing or obstructing them.
Sena spokesperson Dr Neelam Gorhe said, “I am very thankful as the Maharashtra government has taken a stand in favour of women and disallowed gender discrimination.”
NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik too said that the rules to allow women entering the temple should be implemented and women should be allowed even at Shani Shingnapur.
