Shani Shingnapur issue now in Maharashtra CM's court

The vexed issue of whether or not to allow women to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district on Saturday reached the court of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after the meeting of the temple administration and protesting women’s body remained inconclusive.

Among those who were present at the meeting include Ahmednagar District Collector Anil Kawade, Superintendent of Police Saurabh Tripathi, Trupti Desai of the Bhumata Ranragini Brigade, who is spearheading the protests and Anita Shetye, Chairperson of Shri Shanaishwar Devasthan Shani Shingnapur-Newasa and members of Shanishwar Devasthan Bachao Kruti Samiti headed by Shambajiraje Patil.

Though the talks remained inconclusive, both the sides expressed happiness over the talks, but they remained firm on their stand.

In the meeting, it was unanimously decided to refer the matter to the chief minister.
“Whatever the chief minister decides, we will accept. The chief minister is a progressive man…we are sure that we will come out with a positive decision. We have been waiting for long for our rights,” said Trupti, who is expected to meet Fadnavis in Mumbai on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“We have conveyed our feelings at the meeting. Our stand is known,” said Sambhaji Dahatonde, a zilla parishad member from Shani Shingnapur.

However, he added: “We have to go through discussions. No decision is taken in just one meeting.”