Trupti Desai has reached Haji Ali dargah, which is reportedly massively secured, and will only go up to where women are allowed, according to CNN-News18.
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Desai had recently successfully led campaigns to break bar on women at the sanctum sanctorum of Shani Shingnapur and Trimbakeshwar temples in Maharashtra.
A local politician belonging to the AIMIM has threatened to smear Ms Desai’s face with ink if she tried to enter the dargah’s sanctum sanctorum, “even if I have to face arrest”, Haji Rafat Husain was quoted as saying by news agency Press Trust of India.
The Maharashtra Government had in February supported the entry of women to the Haji Ali Dargah.
Hussain told ANI that Desai was attempting to disturb the prevailing ambiance with her ulterior motive, adding that the Mumbai Police should take note of the same and stop her. “We have come peacefully, with no intentions to hurt the religious sentiments of anybody, but only to ensure that women are accorded equality to pray at all religious places”, Desai told the media.
Asked why she is staging protest when the matter is sub-judice, she said “its not a question of being in a hurry”.
She launched the campaign “Haji Ali For All” in April to allow women to the tomb of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and offer “chadar” there.
Meanwhile, several people gathered outside the dargah to demand equal rights for men and women and extend their support to Trupti Desai.
“I think Mohan Bhagwat ji is a progressive thinker and he will respect our stand of entry for women in RSS”, she said. “Our women volunteers will be at the shrine to prevent her entry there”.
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In a related development, a civil petition was filed today in a Mumbai Court seeking a ban on the entry of Desai into the inner chamber of the iconic shrine dedicated to a 15th century saint.
