8/18/2019 Shani temple now says it won't stop women from entering sanctum sanctorum

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Shani temple now says it won't stop women from entering

sanctum sanctorum

The trust was in a bind after a Bombay high court ruling last week that said entry to temples was a

fundamental right of women and it was the State's fundamental duty to protect it. Women have

never been permitted into the inner sanctum of the temple. So, to keep it that way and circumvent

discrimination charges, the trust said a few days ago that now even men wouldn't be allowed into

the temple's inner sanctum. "There is no law that prevents entry of women in any place. If you allow

men then you should allow women also. If a male can go and pray before the deity then why not

women? It is the state government's duty to protect the rights of women," Chief Justice Waghela of 

the Bombay High Court said. The ruling was made by a division bench of Chief Justice Waghela and

 Justice MS Sonak during the hearing on a public interest litigation by senior advocate Nilima Vartak 

and activist Vidya Bal, challenging the prohibition of entry of women into the Shani Shingnapur

temple