April 20, 2016/ WednesdayFrom: MB/Mumbai

Tiff outside Trimbakeshwar templeNASHIK/MUMBAI: A group of women were manhandled by another group when they were trying to reach towards the sanctum sanctorum of the Trimbakeshwar temple of Lord Shiva, one of the jotirlingas in the Nashik district. The tiff apparently arose out of the dress code. The Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust had decided last week to allow women into the Lord Shiva temple’s sanctum sanctorum for an hour every day, but with a condition that they should wear wet cotton or silk clothes while offering prayers in the core area. Activists of the Pune-based Swarajya Mahila Sanghatana, headed by Vanita Gutte, had assembled in the morning and then they were asked to come after bathing and in cotton clothes. When they returned they were told that the timings to go to the sanctum sanctorum was over. Later they had a tiff after which they were manhandled. Nearly 200 persons were booked under IPC sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 341 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). DH News Service

Bhumata Brigade to intervene in HCThe Bhumata Ranragini Brigade on Wednesday said that it would intervene in the Bombay High Court before whom a petition where Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), a women’s group has filed a plea seeking entry of women in the Haji Ali dargah. “We would definitely like to approach the Bombay High Court for an early decision,” the brigade’s president Trupti Desai said. She said that her organization would back the efforts of all the organizations and bodies seeking entry of women in Haji Ali dargah. “It’s a campaign of gender equality, not specific on any temple of mosque,” she said.

Haji AliThe Haji Ali shrine of the 15th century Sufi saint is located on about 500 yards from the shoreline of Worli in the middle of the Arabian Sea. During the high tide, the dargah seems completely isolated with no access - it looks more like a little island. Every Friday, more than 40,000 to 50,000 devotees - including women - visit the Haji Ali Dargah. The Haji Ali Dargah is the complex housing the tomb of the Muslim saint Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Alongside the tomb, there is also a masjid at Haji Ali. This monument has been sentinel to the shores of Mumbai since a long time – and lakhs of people – cutting across religion - visit here annually. It is administered and managed by the Haji Ali Dargah Trust. The complex is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic architecture, was constructed in 1431 in memory of a wealthy Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who gave up all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca. Hailing from Bukhara, in the ancient Persian Empire (present day Uzbekistan), Bukhari travelled around the world in the early to mid 15th century, and then settled in Mumbai.

Demand to allow women inside Haji Ali dargahMUMBAI: Amidst nationwide campaign and protests seeking entry of women in temples, more than 50 organisations and prominent personalities on Wednesday came under one banner to launch a movement, Haji Ali Sabke Liye, demanded that women be allowed in the dargah located at Worli. People like social activist Javed Anand and filmmaker Saeed Mirza were among those who conceived the campaign and pressure group, which also saw the participation of Trupti Desai, the founder of Bhumata Ranragini Brigade, that spear headed the campaign for entry of women at Shani Shingnapur temple, Mahalaxmi temple and Trimbakeshwar among others. At the inaugural press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh here, however, a small group led by one who identified himself as Javed Lodiya and claimed to be a “journalist” and “human rights leader”, said that Sharia does not allow entry of women in dargah. However, when he asserted to make a point, the

organizers requested him to leave the audience. In fact, noted Islamic scholar Dr Zeenat Shaukat Ali, said that it was misinterpretation. “Please leave….you also call a press conference and make your point rather than disrupting our press conference,” said Feroze Mithiborwala who was one of the activists in the forefront of galvansing the forces to demand entry of women at Haji Ali. “Everyone has to make his or point noted, but this is not the way,” said veteran peace activist Jatin Desai. A women's group, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA), has filed a petition which is currently before the Bombay High Court.“The forum is of the firm view that women’s entry in a dargah is not a religious issue but something to do with custom and tradition. In fact, till 2011, the practice at Haji Ali dargah was not to put any restriction on women. What’s more some of the Haji Ali dargah’s trustees are also trustees of the Makhdoom Baba dargah at Mahim where even today there is not restriction on women,” Anand said. He said that it would be logical if the trustees themselves remove the restrictions. “We are seeking an audience with them….we would impress upon them our request,” he said, adding that on April 28 a peaceful dharna has also been planned at Haji Ali dargahDH News Service