Shani Shingnapur issue : HJS to file petition against Mumbai HC order

Mumbai : Accusation of women prohibited to enter temples is basically wrong. In all Hindus’ temples, women are allowed entry; barring a few exceptions which follow ancient traditions. Rules observed in ritualistic worship, that are related to physical / gross body,  are laid down considering health of people and such rules are related only to ritualistic worship. As per ‘Upasana-kaanda’, women can undertake any kind of spiritual practice. The verdict passed by Court says that women should be allowed entry wherever men are allowed to go; however, both, men and women are not allowed to enter the temple sanctum of Shanidev since the year 2011 and it is being wrongly propagated that only women are not allowed in Shri Shani Mandir. Anyone can enter Shanidev temple and prohibition is only on climbing its sanctum on men as well as on women. It is observed that the Court has been misled in the matter; therefore, we are going to file a petition for re-hearing of the case, informed Shri. Sunil Ghanavat, State Coordinator of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) through a press release.   

It has been stated in the press release that

1.The Government has given reference of ‘Hindu Places of Public Worship Act, 1956’ in Court in which it is mentioned that entry should be allowed in temple but it does not mean entry in sanctum-sanctorum.

2. The most important fact is the above Act was passed in connection with eradication of untouchability; without making mention of any gender. In the Constitution written by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, clear definition has been given of men and women under clause 14, 15 and 21 but it is not found in the above Act.     

3.Verdict passed by a High Court need not be taken as final because there have been instances of hundreds of verdicts passed by High Courts which were changed by Supreme Court. Other Benches of High Court have also given different verdicts in many cases; therefore, we are filing a petition for re-hearing of the case.

4. We have been given freedom under clause 26 of the Constitution to manage all activities related to Dharma; including the right to define rules followed by temples. We, therefore, do not feel that we are in any way trampling religious rights.

5.Under Shariat Act, Muslims have taken a stand in a case filed in Supreme Court that their Holy book Quran is very old compared to the Constitution which is only 60 years old; therefore, no law has right to interfere with their religious matters; but nobody says a word about the same.      

6.The State Government promptly presented its side of giving equal right to men and women with reference to Shani Mandir; but is it going to take similar stand in case of Muslim women’s legal fight for entering Haji Ali durgah ? In that case, the State Government would be justified in speaking for secularism and equality.