Bombay High Court backs entry of women in temples

Mumbai: Giving its opinion in favour of gender equality, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday observed that no law prevents women from entering any place.

If men are allowed in a place of worship then women should also be permitted. Underlining the need for giving equal access to women, the High Court stated that 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 is 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. Women from Bhumata Brigade made efforts to enter the sanctum sanctorum of Shani temple. However, they were prevented by the police. Also, the state government was reluctant to intervene in the entire matter.

“There is no law that prevents entry of women in any place. If you allow men then you should allow women also. If a male can go and pray before the deity then why not women? It is the state government’s duty to protect the rights of women,” Justice Waghela said.

The court said that the state government should give wide publicity to the Act and issue circulars, informing the general public at large about the Act and its provisions.