Trupti Desai offers prayers at Haji Ali; Sabarimala next

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, August 28

Activist Trupti Desai of the Rangragini Bhumata Brigade today entered the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai and offered prayers without being disturbed. She, however, did not enter the sanctum sanctorum of the dargah.

It was the first time the controversial activist visited the shrine after the Bombay High Court struck down the ban on the entry of women into its sanctum sanctorum. Earlier, Desai’s attempts to enter the dargah had led to a major scuffle with the trustees and she had to be rescued by the police.

“Last time, when we had gone to the Haji Ali Dargah, we prayed for the verdict of the High Court to be in our favour. We have got the blessings of Haji Ali Baba just like we had got the blessings of God Shani,” Desai told reporters before offering prayers at the dargah.

“I request trustees to respect the Bombay High Court order. Even if they go to the Supreme Court, we will win,” Desai told reporters after offering prayers at the shrine.

She said the activists of the Bhumata Brigade would now try to offer prayers at the Sabrimala temple in Kerala. “Our protest is not against any religion,” Desai added.

The trustees of the dargah had imposed the ban on entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum only in 2012. Several Muslim women’s organisations had challenged the ban in the courts.