This is an era of intolerance: HC

“This is an era of intolerance,” the Bombay High Court said on Tuesday while hearing a public interest litigation petition against the bar on woman entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Haji Ali Dargah here.

Indicating that it would not decide on religious matters, the court said: “Today, the atmosphere is such that everything is taken in another way. This is an era of intolerance. When it comes to religious matters, people become very sensitive.”

The Division Bench of Justices V.M. Kanade and Revati Mohite Dere urged the parties to try for an out-of-court settlement.

In its petition, the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan said women had always been allowed at the dargah.

However, in June 2012, the trust restricted their entry to the sanctum sanctorum which houses the tomb of the 15th century Sufi saint.

Earlier, the trustees had told the court that the entry of women in close proximity to the grave of a Muslim saint is considered a grievous sin in Islam. The present arrangement, they said, gave women a secure place to offer prayers.

“This has been decided in the interests of women, and they are close to the inner sanctorum of the tomb as far as possible.”

Last month, the trustees informed the court that a meeting was convened after the court asked the trust to reconsider its decision, and it was again unanimously decided not to allow women in the sanctum sanctorum.

The court has scheduled further hearing of the petition for December 15.