HC not to interfere with Dargah rule

In a significant statement, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday observed—“this is an era of intolerance”—as it indicated that it would prefer not to interfere in issues like ban on entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali Dargah here.

“Today the atmosphere is such that everything is taken in another way. This is an era of intolerance. When it comes to religious matters,  people become very sensitive,” Justice V M Kanade observed.

The observation came when a Division Bench comprising Justice Kanade and Justice Revati Mohite Dere was hearing a petition challenging the rule of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust over banning the entry of women in the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine.

The shrine of the 15th century Sufi saint, Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, is located  about 500 yards from the Mumbai shores in the middle of the Arabian Sea. Every Friday, more than 40,000 devotees —including women—visit the Haji Ali Dargah. The court urged the parties involved to try resolving the issue outside of court. The court has now posted the petition for further hearing on December 15.