Despite HC order, women stopped from entering Shani temple

In a showdown between the believers and women activists campaigning for allowing women inside Shani Shingnapur temple, scores of women activists, led by Trupti Desai of Bhumata Brigade, on Saturday, made a bid to storm the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, but were stopped by villagers and the temple trust security. The police had a tough time in bringing down the tempers and maintaining the law and order.

The Bombay High Court, on Friday, had held that entry to temples was a fundamental right of women. The Maharashtra government too assured the court that it will strictly implement the rules in this regard. Desai, who had earlier made futile attempts to enter the core area at Shani Shingnapur, then announced that she would march to the temple on Saturday and enter the restricted area.

Taking stock of the situation, Ahmednagar police on Friday held a meeting with the temple trust, urging the latter to follow the court order. "We had a meeting with the district collector and the police superintendent. They said we have to follow the court order. We agreed and said that Desai can take darshan as any other devottee. Men take darshan standing in queue, she can also do the same," said Sayaram Bankar, trustee of the shrine at Shani Shingnapur.

He further said, "The court order says to implement the Act (Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act 1956). We did that and gave entry for darshan. The court order does not specify anything about Shani Shingnapur. We have not violated the court order."

Desai, who tried to push her way to the core area along with her supporters at around 1.30 pm, met with stiff opposition from the local women. Around 700-800 devottees had gathered at the area. Desai was caught in scuffle and suffered bruises as she was pushed and dragged. As the villagers broke the barricade and rushed towards the activists, the police encircled Desai and led her away.

Speaking to reporters from the ambulance of the temple, Desai said she would file an FIR against chief minister Devendra Fadnavis if he fails to honour the Bombay High Court order facilitating entry of women to places of worship. "I had come here to seek darshan as the high court has ruled likewise. However, the police and the trust have prevented me from doing so. This is contempt of the court order and how can the chief minister, who also holds the home portfolio, allow this," Desai said.

Meanwhile, NCP women's wing regional chief, Chitra Wagh, who had proceeded to Shani Shingnapur on Friday, stopped at Ahmednagar after the trust requested her not to come as they are yet to the court order and to cooperate in maintaining law and order. Former NCP MLA Bhanudas Murkute, however, attempted an entry into the temple, along with some 15-20 women, on Saturday, but was stopped by the temple security and the villagers.

There are two more litigations on the issue of women's entry in Shani Shingnapur temple, pending in the court since 2001. The villagers, however, are not ready to give away their beliefs. "This is our tradition since ages. We are following it as our forefathers did. How can anyone comment or direct on our faith and tradition?" asked Sopan Darandal, a local resident.