In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Vidya Bal and senior advocate Nilima Varta, Bombay High Court has said that no law can prevent women from entering any place of worship.
This verdict will have far reaching consequences, as it directly challenges age-old religious beliefs and traditions.
The PIL was filed for allowing women to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the world-famous Shani Shingnapur Temple in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district. Since ages, women have been debarred from entering the main platform of the temple, as it’s against the tradition and rules of the temple. But with the recent ruling of the Bombay High Court, path has been paved for women to enter any religious place without any fear.
Petitioner Vartika said, “There should be no gender discrimination as far as entering a place of worship is concerned and the women have the right to exercise their religious freedom,”
Several women activist groups have expressed their happiness over the Bombay High Court’s verdict, as women empowerment and equality received a new boost today.