The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday issued notice to the Central Government as well as the Muslim Organisations in a PIL seeking entry of women in mosques and allowing them to offer their prayers.
The PIL is filed by one Farah Sheikh who is a housewife and said that the alleged act of prohibition of entry of women to mosque is violation of the constitution and fundamental rights guaranteed under it as there cannot be any discrimination based on caste, sex and religion.
The petitioner said that Quran does not differentiate between man and women. It speaks only about the faithfulness. But, Islam has become a religion in which women are being oppressed. It is submitted that women are never allowed inside Sunni mosques to pray and they too have the right. Women could enter mosques even during the time of the Prophet. It is submitted that Muslim Women are being discriminated as they are not allowed to enter and pray in the main prayer hall of mosques in violation of Articles 14 and 21of the Constitution. This is an encroachment in the realm of personal and social security.
Acting upon the plea, the bench led by Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna & Justice Harishikesh Roy issued the notice to the Government and Muslim organisations. However, when the petitioner prayed for linking it up with the Sabrimala Reference Case heard by the 9 Judges Constitution Bench as the issues are similar, the CJI Bobde said “constitution bench won’t hear your matter. We issue notice in your matter.”
-India Legal Bureau