'Right-to-pray' calls reach Haji Ali dargah

Amid tension and sloganeering, the “right-to-pray” movement reached the doorsteps of the famous Haji Ali dargah at Worli here in Mumbai.

A group of people and organisations staged a peaceful demonstration demanding entry of women even as women’s right activist Trupti Desai staged a protest.

The “Haji Ali Sabke Liye”, which is a conglomerate of 50-odd organisations and activists, staged a demonstration from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Desai, the founder-president of Bhumata Ranragini Brigade, who had spearheaded the campaign successfully against the entry ban on women into Shani Shingnapur and Trimbakeshwar temples, however, reached the place of protest around 5.25 pm and was prevented from entering. She later made another attempt, but was stopped once again.

AIMIM’s Haji Rafat Hussain threatened to smear her face with black ink, while Samajwadi Party's MLA Abu Asim Azmi said that she was engaging in cheap publicity and was hurting religious sentiments. The Shamsher Khan Pathan-led Awami Vikas Party too protested against the demand seeking entry of women. Shiv Sena leader Haji Arafat Shaikh also accused Desai of playing politics.

“It was a peaceful protest and lot of people joined us and supported the demand for gender equality in places of worship,” said Jatin Desai, veteran activist.

Even while protests by the Haji Ali Sabke Liye forum and pressure group were underway, there were counter-protests by several Muslim organisations.