AMN /
In a ruling that maight have far-reaching implications, the Bombay High Court on Friday declared that no law prevents women from entering places of worship and there should be no gender discrimination as far as entering one is concerned.
The High Court today said that entry to places of worship is the fundamental right of a woman and it is the government’s duty to protect this right.
The court was hearing a PIL challenging the bar on entry of women in the sanctum sanctorum of Shani Shingnapur temple in the Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district.
While the court refused to pass any specific orders regarding the Shani Temple; it did pass a general direction asking the government to take pro-active steps to ensure there is no gender discrimination at places of worship.
While hearing a PIL challenging the ban on entry of women in temples like Shani Shingnapur in Maharashtra; a division bench of Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice M S Sonak asked the state government to ensure that there is no gender discrimination at places of worship.
Earlier today, the state government informed the court that it will fully implement the Maharashtra Hindu Place of Worship (Entry Authorisation) Act, 1956 that prescribes a six-month jail term for any temple authority or person who imposes such restrictions.
Stating that it was completely against gender discrimination, the Maharashtra Government assured the court that it will direct all district authorities to ensure compliance with the Act.
Meanwhile disposing off the petition; the court said that it cannot issue orders into individual or specific cases; but can only pass general directions.”
