Shani Shingnapur issue : Hindus unite together for protection of religious traditions

• Women Shani-devotees will stop so-called progressive women from climbing on temple-pedestal of Shani-temple ! – Unanimous resolve of local residents of Shani Shingnapur
• Local residents, Devasthan’s office bearers, pro-Hindu organizations, HJS and Sanatan Sanstha hold joint meeting

Shani Shingnapur (Maharashtra) : On 26th January, 400 atheist women are planning to climb temple-pedestal of Shanidev for breaking tradition followed for hundreds of years. They will be stopped from doing so by women Shani-devotees was the unanimous resolve passed in a meeting held here on 20th January. All pro-Hindu organizations, natives, office bearers of Shanaishwar Devasthan, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Sanatan Sanstha had organized a joint meeting between 11.00 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. which was attended by more than 200 Shani-devotees; including more than 125 women from Shani Shingnapur and Sonai.

Participating dignitaries

Shani Shingnapur’s Sarpanch Shri. Balasaheb Bankar, Vice President Shri. Nanasaheb Bankar of Devasthan Trust, Shri. Adinath Shete, a Trustee, Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, State Coordinator of HJS, Kum. Priyanka Lone, of its Ranaragini Division, Bajarang Dal, ‘Akhil Bharatiya Chhava Sanghatana’, Shri. Shivapratishthan Hindustan’s office bearers and activists

Views expressed by dignitaries

Religious traditions will be protected ! – Shri. Balasaheb Bankar, Sarpanch, Shani Shingnapur

All Shani-devotees, devout Hindus and Hindu organizations from different places will be coming to Shani Shingnapur for protection of religious traditions followed here. Preserving our traditions is duty of one and all. Local women should come forward and protect such traditions. Let us all come together and try to do it. We shall not do anything which will affect law and order; but religious traditions will not be allowed to be broken.

Unrighteous act will not be allowed ! – Shri. Nanasaheb Bankar, Vice President, Shri. Shanaishwar Devasthan

Religious tradition followed at Shani Shingnapur for hundreds of years has to be followed. Those progressive women can come and have ‘darshan’ as devotees as per the traditions; but why is there so much impertinence to climb temple-pedestal ? Such ploy of progressive factions has to be foiled and for that, the progressive women should not be allowed to enter the district. Such unrighteous act would not be allowed. We have submitted representations to police and local administration seeking protection so as to prevent law and order problem. In case of any trouble, administration will take over the temple.

Local women-devotees should come forward for protection of traditions – Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, State Coordinator, HJS

Women have never been treated as inferior under Hindu Dharma; they have always been held in high esteem. We had Gargi and Maitreyi, who were wives of Sages and were scholars in ‘Vedas’. ‘Punya-shlok’ Ahilyabai Holkar built many temples and Mutts and personally looked after their management. Even now, there are women trustees in many temples. We should therefore, stop those who are only making a pretense of equality of women but actually interested in breaking religious traditions. There is need to learn the science behind such customs and traditions followed under our Dharma and women-devotees should come forward for their protection.

Women Shani-devotees gave spontaneous response when they were appealed to take initiative by resolving to devote 2 days totally towards protection of religious traditions.