The Shiv Sena on Saturday distanced itself from the statement of its leader Haji Arafat Sheikh, who threatened to beat up Bhumata Brigade leader Trupti Desai with his sandals if she dared to enter Haji Ali Dargah on April 28. The party termed it his personal opinion even as Ms Desai said she would go ahead with her plan.
Earlier in the day, Mr Sheikh issued an open statement declaring he would resort to violence if the sentiments of the community were hurt by the actions of Ms Desai. “She has announced her intent of entering our dargah, which is being received with disappointment by the Muslim community. If she dares to do so, she will be beaten up with chappals,” he said. Later, he tweaked the statement saying it was the opinion of the women of the community and not his own.
The Sena leader alleged that Ms Desai was seeking publicity and nothing else since it was prohibited under the Muslim law for women to enter a dargah. “She must stop this right now and instead look at solving other bigger social problems.”
Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe told presspersons that her party has always supported the cause of women. “Late Bal Thackeray was always in favour of women having equal rights in temples. The court has made its stand clear and the women must be provided protection by the government. Mr Sheikh’s views are personal and not of the party’s,” she said.
