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Defying ban, male devotees storm the sanctum of Shani temple in Maharashtra

India Blooms News Service | | Apr 08, 2016, at 06:29 pm

#Shani temple in Maharashtra # Defying ban # Shani Shingnapur temple

Mumbai, Apr 8 (IBNS) Over 100 male devotees on Friday stormed into inner sanctum of Shani Shingnapur temple to perform puja for Gudi Padwa, defying trust's order that nobody would be allowed to offer prayers there, reports said.

The ban on entering the sanctum of the temple was imposed only on Thursday following controversy over women's entry unfolded.

Meanwhile, activist Trupti Desai is reportedly preparing to march towards the historic temple on Friday to establish the women's right.

Desai has been spearheading the protest demanding entry into the temple.

In a landmark verdict, the Bombay High Court on April 01 declared that no law prevents women from entering places of worship. The court, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vidya Bal and Nilima Varta, said there should be no gender discrimination as far as entering a place of worship is concerned.

The temple hit the headlines in November 2015 after a woman offered prayers in `breach` of the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women.

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