Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday vowed to follow the Bombay High Court’s order that women will not be discriminated from entering places of worship; hours after activists of the Bhumata Ranragini Brigade were stopped from praying at the Shani Shinganapur temple in Ahmednagar.
On Saturday, women activists led by Trupti Desai stormed into the temple’s complex but were prevented from entering the inner sanctum by locals and temple authorities. The activists launched a scathing attack on Fadnavis, asking him why was Bombay High Court’s order that women not be discriminated at places of worship being defied.
Read: Honour HC order or face FIR, women evicted from Shani temple warn CM
Fadnavis in response said he would follow Court orders but at the same time made a veiled criticism of the activists for their actions. He said no one must disturb the law and order situation for mere publicity but also added that there was no place for discrimination in Hindu culture.
"There is no place for discrimination in Hindu culture. Our government has taken a clear stand before the Honorable High Court and we will implement their decision in true spirit," Fadnavis said in a statement.
"But it is my sincere request to everyone not to disturb the law and order situation for mere publicity," he added.
Meanwhile, Desai, who was on her way after a medical check-up, lashed out at Fadnavis for saying that the purpose of their movement was to gain attention.
"Yes the Chief Minister did express his support for us, but that support has clearly fallen short somewhere. You can see our condition since morning. He should have ensured that the police establish the court order. He should let go off the Home Ministry, if he is not able to perform his functions," Desai told the media.
She added that she along with the other activists, who were assaulted, will identify their attackers once they are shown the footage by the police.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Police stated that the move was taken to prevent a possible stampede outside the Shani Shingnapur temple and ensure that the law and order situation remains under control.
"Tension was brewing here, which might have led to stampede and that is why we took her out from the temple. We had given a notice to Trupti Desai and Bhanu Dash Murkute under Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and had verbally told them that they shouldn't create a law and order situation in Shani Shinghnapur temple," Additional Superintendent of Police Pankaj Deshmukh said.
Earlier on Saturday, the activists clashed with local villagers, who were staunchly opposing the entry of women inside the sanctum sanctorum.
Nearly 100 volunteers of Bhumata Brigade marched towards Shani Shinganapur temple, a day after the Bombay High Court stated that prohibiting women from entering places of worship is against the fundamental rights bestowed upon them by the Constitution.
The temple drew attention in November 2015 after a lady offered prayers in "breach" of the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women.
