Jama Masjid entry ban triggers row
Delhi’s Jama Masjid on Thursday reversed its decision to restrict the entry of girls into the monument following widespread outrage and after lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena stepped in and urged the mosque’s Shahi Imam to rescind the move. “Jama Masjid mein ladki ya ladkiyon ka akele daakhla mana hai (The entry of a girl, or girls, is not permitted in Jama Masjid),” said a notice put up at a mosque gate. As the controversy escalated, Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, clarified that the order is not applicable to those visiting to offer prayers.
The administration of Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid on Thursday reversed its decision to restrict the entry of girls into the 17th century monument following widespread outrage on social media and after the city’s lieutenant governor Vinai Kumar Saxena stepped in and urged the mosque’s Shahi Imam to rescind the move.
“Jama Masjid mein ladki ya ladkiyon ka akele daakhla mana hai (The entry of a girl, or girls, is not permitted in Jama Masjid),” said a notice put up at gate number 2 of the mosque earlier this week.
The notice triggered a major row on social media, even as mosque officials on Thursday kept girls, single unaccompanied women, and some couples from entering.
Guards at the gate asked them to go back or return with their
families. At the same time, many other married couples and groups of women were allowed to visit the mosque after declaring their marital status.
As the controversy escalated, the mosque’s Shahi Imam, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Thursday
clarified that the order is not applicable to those visiting to offer prayers.
“Anyone who wants to offer namaz or visit the mosque can do so. Our concern is that people should not start treating the mosque as a meeting point and indulge in activities that defy the sanctity of the place of worship. Even if a single woman says that she wants to visit the mosque, she is free to do so. However, we expect visitors to maintain decorum. There have been instances when women have used the mosque premises to meet their boyfriends, propose, or make videos. The mosque is not a designated meeting point for such individuals,” said Bukhari.
He said that lone women could inform the guards about the purpose of the visit and enter mosque premises.
However, later in the day, Bukhari confirmed that the order was scrapped after the LG’S intervention.
“The LG said that it would be better if the notice is removed. We have agreed,” he said
But, Bukhari continued, “Women and others should themselves ensure that they respect the mosque premises and not indulge in activities that are not suited for a place of worship”.
Meanwhile, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal termed the notice a violation of women’s rights and said she was issuing a notice, even as officials in the National Commission for Women said the body has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and is deciding on the action to be taken.
Mehak, 18, who tried visiting the mosque with a male friend on Thursday evening said she was asked to return with her mother.
“Couples are not allowed, some officials told us. I have been coming to the mosque for years, but it’s the first time they have not allowed me to enter,” said Mehak, who prefers to use the first name.
Bukhari said the decision was taken after some “incidents” were reported on the premises of the heritage structure.