These are words that sum up the Haji Ali verdict, say elated gender equality activists as celebrations erupted outside the Bombay High Court as soon as it declared that women can be allowed into Mumbai’s Haji Ali dargah
Celebrations erupted outside the Bombay High Court as soon as it Court declared in a landmark judgment yesterday that it was the fundamental right of women to be allowed into the inner sanctum of Mumbai’s Haji Ali dargah.
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Women from the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan celebrate the high court verdict. Pic/Bipin Kokate
“Jeet gaye, jeet gaye” chanted a euphoric Firoz Mithiborwla, from the Haji Ali Sabke Liye (Haji Ali for All) forum. “We have won, today is a historic day,” he added.
Zakia Soman, one of the petitioners from the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, said “This is a huge step for gender rights. This is such a huge day for Muslim women — in fact, women everywhere, and even men who believe in equal rights.”
Not all are happy
Sajid Supariwala, vice president of the Indian Union Muslim League, Mumbai, reacted: “We respect the law but are not satisfied with this judgment. We will approach the SC. This is a bad precedent for the community as women’s entry in the inner sanctum is against Sharia law.”
Irfan Machiwala from Mahim said, “It was narrated that the Prophet cursed women who visit graves. Women should stop visiting graves. The verdict goes against this.”
Haji Ali dargah trustee Suhail Khandwani said, “We have yet to see the full text of the verdict and read between the lines to fully understand it well. Our group of seven trustees, with three lawyers, will meet and try to see the reasoning and then decide on a line of action.”
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