A women's organisation was on Thursday ordered by authorities not to go ahead with its demonstration at the famous Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district on January 26 to demand that women be given equal rights for prayers at its sacred platform.
The Ranragini Bhumata Brigade on its part headed for a showdown with the authorities by deciding to book a helicopter from which its chief Trupti Desai was planning to alight by a rope and take darshan just to break an ancient "custom" that bars women from climbing up to the holy 'chauthara' (sacred platform).
Joint Charity Commissioner of Pune region Shivkumar Dige in his order preventing members of Ranragini Bhumata Brigade from going ahead with its protests said there was apprehension of damage to property if the outfit goes ahead with its demonstration at the 'chauthara'. The temple trustees should hold a meeting with Brigade members and hear what the latter have to say, the order said.
Fearing restrictions on the protests, Desai said she was booking a helicopter and seeking permission for the flight from the district collector and planned to alight (in the temple premises) by a rope from the helicopter.
"Women want equality, which was given in the Constitution of India on January 26. Hence we want to protest on this day," Desai said, as the agitation over certain restrictions on women at popular shrines such as Haji Ali in Mumbai and Sabrimala temple in Kerala reached Shani Shingnapur, about 300 km from Mumbai.
The temple trust and most villagers have strongly opposed the plan, fearing the move might "anger" the Shani Dev. To foil the attempt, villagers have announced that they would form a human chain around the temple to "protect" the God from "being impure".
"One woman mistakenly went to the chauthara (platform) and took darshan. After this, the management washed the area as it had become 'impure' and insulted motherhood. In December, four of us (women) tried to storm through the barricades, but were pushed back," Desai said.
In November, a woman offered prayers at the popular shrine in 'breach' of the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women, prompting the temple committee to suspend seven security men and the villagers to perform purification rituals.
