Shani temple opens doors for women, revokes centuries old ban

Mumbai: In a major victory for women rights activists, the Shani Shingnapur temple trust in Maharashtra has decided to allow women into the sanctum sanctorum, reversing a centuries-old ban.

"Anyone can enter the sanctum and the committee can't stop them. The rule was that men and women both can worship god (darshan) from the lower part of the temple, but when men entered the sanctum, it became our responsibility to also let women enter," Nana Sahib Bankar, vice-president of the Shani Shingnapur Trust, told the media.

He said the temple had been following an ancient custom but added they had no objection in welcoming the Bombay High Court's order to allow entry to women.

Read: Men storm into Shani Shingnapur temple after new ban on their entry

In March this year, the Bombay High Court had observed that no law prevents women from entering any place.

Underlining the need for giving equal access to women, the High Court stated any temple or person imposing such restrictions can face a six-month jail term under a Maharashtra law, and asked the government to make a statement if it was worried about the sanctity of a deity.

The observations were made by a Division Bench of Chief Justice D.H. Waghela and Justice M.S. Sonak during the hearing of a PIL by senior advocate Nilima Vartak and activist Vidya Bal, challenging the bar on entry of women in the sanctum sanctorum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

Read: Women to be allowed in Shani temple, will follow HC order: Fadnavis

The temple trust, however, had announced last week a ban on the entry of both men and women from the inner sanctum to offer prayers to Lord Shani. Earlier today, over hundred men defied the order and stormed into the temple’s premises to worship the Saturn god.

Last 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 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking him why the Bombay High Court’s order was being defied.

Fadnavis 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 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 had 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.