Bombay HC permits women inside Haji Ali Dargah, but Trust says No!

Mumbai, August 26, 2016: On Friday in a historic verdict, the Bombay High Court has permitted the entry of women up to the restricted area in the famous 15th-century shrine Haji Ali Dargah, that is located off the Worli seashore. A division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice Revati Mohite-Dhere stayed the judgment for six weeks to allow an appeal in the Supreme Court, mentioned IANS report.

The court's ruling came on a PIL filed by NGO Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan and women activists Noorjehan Niaz and Zakia Soman and now women can enter in the inner sanctum of this Dargah. However, the trustees believe that it will be grievous to allow women near the tomb of the Sufi saint, that is housed within the mosque.

DCW welcomes HC judgement to allow women in Haji Ali Dargah. Need to break patriarchal traditions. Allow women in all places of worship.
— Swati Jai Hind (@SwatiJaiHind) August 26, 2016

Follow NewsGram on Twitter

These trustees had imposed the ban 5 years back and were taken to the court by the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) – a Muslim women's rights group, who are backed by the state government, mentioned NDTV.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis. Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has expressed his views regarding the High Court's decision. He said there is discrimination in worship and this tradition must accommodate change.

Follow NewsGram on Facebook

Today, the High Court added that any restriction on women at the dargah violates the fundamental right to equality. The court order has brought relief to the countrywide campaign and efforts of women, to allow them entry to all places of worship.

In Mumbai, the Haji Ali mosque was constructed in 1431, on an islet about 500 metres from the coast, 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. The Dargah can only be reached during low tide.

– prepared by NewsGram Team

ALSO READ:

mosque