We thank God for fulfilling our wishes: Desai at Haji Ali

MUMBAI: Trupti Desai, who successfully campaigned against the ban on the entry of women at Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, visited

MUMBAI: Trupti Desai, who successfully campaigned against the ban on the entry of women at Shani Shingnapur temple in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, visited Haji Ali dargah on Sunday afternoon to offer thanksgiving prayers after the Bombay High Court (HC) allowed women to enter the shrine’s sanctum.

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The HC on Friday ordered the trustees of the dargah to lift the ban, but has given it six weeks to implement it. The trust can approach the Supreme Court against the HC order in this time. Desai, who visited the shrine along with 20 women from her group, Bhumata Brigade, said they had no intention of entering the sanctum.

“We respect the court’s order and had gone only to thank god for fulfilling our wishes. The lifting of the ban is a victory for all women,” Desai told HT.

She said the group only went to the point up to which women are allowed. “While we were there, we requested the trustee of the dargah not to move the Supreme Court and abide by the HC’s decision,” she said.

Abdul Sattar Merchant, chairman and managing trustee of Haji Ali Dargah Trust, who met Desai, said the trust is yet to take a decision on approaching the apex court. “Desai did not attempt to enter the prohibited area. However, it against our religion to have women anywhere near the sanctum,” he said.