A peaceful demonstration called by a forum of over 20 rights organisations, demanding women’s entry in the Haji Ali Dargah, turned into a conflict situation after Trupti Desai of the Bhoomata Brigade jumped into the fray, insisting on going into the dargah. Ms Desai, who was denied entry, has decided to take up the matter with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Ms Desai, along with other women activists, sat on the road outside the dargah till Thursday night, demanding that the police escort her in. Her entry was obstructed by over 100 Muslim women from different organisations and political parties.
The forum, ‘Haji Ali sab ke liye,’ had organised a peaceful demonstration, requesting the dargah trustees to restart the entry of women, which was discontinued at the place of worship in 2011. Ms Desai, who has risen to fame following her agitation for women’s entry in the Shani Shingnapur temple sanctum, was to join the protest. Many political outfits had threatened violence, following which heavy police force was deployed in Worli.
“We had never said we would enter the dargah forcefully. We held our protest between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Ms Desai reached the venue later. She is free to work as she pleases … we do not want to comment on it,” said Javed Anand of the forum. Mr. Anand said their protest would continue in a peaceful manner — meetings would be held with the dargah trustees in an effort to change their minds.
Ms. Desai was initially stopped from going near the dargah by protesters who were opposing her. “We haven’t acted in haste. The matter is sub judice . We are only demanding equal rights for women. Today, we will go inside the dargah and I am sure I will have darshan,” Ms Desai told media persons.
Ms Desai was, however, stopped by a human wall of Muslim women who declared that they would not allow her to enter the dargah. The police reportedly refused to escort her.
