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What led to the ban on women in Haji Ali Dargah

Trust had given several reasons justifying ban
Last Updated 26 August 2016, 19:18 IST

 What led to the ban of entry of women inside the Haji Ali dargah, suddenly in 2012, when women were allowed earlier?

The managing trust had given several reasons right from religious to safety of women. The Bombay High Court took into account these and pointed out how they were not applicable.

“It is stated that the president of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust had said that the reasons for imposing such a ban/rule were – (i) women wearing blouses with wide necks bend on the mazaar, exposing parts of the body;

(ii) for the safety and security of women; and (iii) that earlier they were not aware of the provisions of Shariat and had made a mistake and therefore had taken steps to rectify the same,” the bench pointed out.

In fact, in August 2015, the court had asked the trust to rethink on the ban and also reproduced the minutes of the meeting of the trust, during which they decided to continue with the ban.

Steps towards gender equality

January 2016: Trupti Desai of Bhumata Ranragini Brigade announces plan to storm Shani Shingnapur temple

January 11, 2016: Anita Shetye, a housewife, is unanimously appointed the first-ever woman chairperson of the famous Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust

January 18 2016: Bombay High Court says it would decide on the issue of entry of women to the Haji Ali dargah once the SC decides on entry of women in Sabrimala temple of Kerala

January 26, 2016: On Republic Day, women make an unsuccessful bid to enter Shani Shingnapur temple.

March 7, 2016: On the occasion of Maha Shivratri, Trupti Desai makes an unsuccessful bid to enter Trimbakeshwar temple

March 30, 2016: Women cannot to be stopped from entering places of worship, rules Bombay High Court

April 12, 2016: Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust allows women to enter temple trust with certain conditions

April 21, 2016: Women enter garbh griha of Trimbakeshwar temple

May 12, 2016: Trupti Desai enters Haji Ali, but not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum

August 26, 2016: The Bombay High Court allows entry of women inside the sanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali


Epic verdict

“This is a historic judgement and we welcome this judgement... This is a great
step towards gender justice for Muslim women.”

Zakia Soman of Bharaitya Muslim Mahila Andolan, who filed the PIL, told a TV channel.

Don’t attach it to religion: MIM
“This is not related to Islam. The trustees (of Haji Ali) may have some reasons. There are several temples where women are not allowed... do we attach religion to it? It is wrong to relate it with Islam.”

Imtiaz Jaleel,
MIM MLA from Maharashtra





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(Published 26 August 2016, 19:18 IST)

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