Shani temple row: Women's group approaches CM after thwarted protests

Following an unsuccessful bid to enter the inner sanctum of the Shani Shingnapur temple, the protestors met the CM yesterday, asking for his intervention

Pune: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was in Pune yesterday to meet the group of women protestors who attempted to enter the inner sanctum of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district on Republic Day. While their attempt to enter the shrine was foiled, they have now approached the CM with their grievances.

Trupti Desai (in green) speaks to CM Devendra Fadnavis in Pune

Fadnavis met Trupti Desai, president of the Bhumata Ranragini Brigade, who handed him a letter asking for his support. Desai also asked him to touch the shrine with his wife. After the discussion with Desai, the CM avoided talking to the media.

More than 300 women had planned to storm into the temple on Republic Day. The temple prohibits entry of women into the inner sanctum. However, police stopped them at Supa Village, 70 km from Ahmednagar district.

In November last year, the entire temple, including the shrine was purified, by sprinkling the milk of cows and buffaloes, because an unidentified woman had entered the sanctum two days ago. "On one hand, women are prohibited from entering the inner sanctum of the temple and on the other, cow/buffalo milk is used for purifying the temple and the shrine. Now is this not a breach of norms since cows/buffaloes are female?" Desai said.

The newly appointed chairman of the Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust, Anita Shete, said, "Such issues need to be addressed in a peaceful manner, with healthy mutual dialogue. We are ready to have discussions with them."

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