Trupti offers thanks for lifting of ban at Haji Ali

GENDER EQUALITY Requests the dargah trust not to appeal in the Supreme Court against the Bombay HC order allowing women to enter

MUMBAI: Trupti Desai, the gender rights activist who successfully campaigned against the ban on the entry of women at the Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, visited Haji Ali dargah on Sunday to offer prayers after the Bombay high court lifted the ban on women from entering the shrine’s sanctum.

The Bombay high court has given the dargah trustees six weeks to implement its order.

Desai, who visited the shrine along with 20 women from her group Bhumata Brigade, said they had no intention of entering the sanctum sanctorum.

“We respect the court’s order and had only gone to thank god for fulfilling our wishes. Now that the ban is lifted, it is a victory for all women,” Desai told Hindustan Times.

She added that the group entered the Dargah and only ventured till the point up to which women are allowed.

“While we were there, we requested the trust not to appeal in the Supreme Court,” she said.

Abdul Sattar Merchant, chairman and managing trustee of Haji Ali Dargah Trust, who met Desai, said the trust was yet to take a decision on approaching the top court.

“Desai did not attempt to enter the sanctum sanctorum today. However, it is against our religion to have women anywhere near the sanctorum,” he said.

Desai did not attempt to enter the sanctum sanctorum today. However, it is against our religion to have women anywhere near the sanctorum. ABDUL SATTAR MERCHANT, chairman and managing trustee of Haji Ali Dargah Trust