Shani Shingnapur: Women’s outfit set to storm shrine on Republic Day

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, January 25, 2016: With just one day to go for Republic Day, activists of the Ranragini Bhumata Brigade and Maharashtra’s local administration are at loggerheads over the gender barrier at the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar.

 

The group, headed by activist Trupti Desai, has decided to stage an extravagant procession by offering worship to Lord Shani at the sacred platform which has been out of bounds for women as per centuries-old tradition.

According to the plan, Desai will alight from a helicopter to offer worship at the prohibited inner sanctum.

"We have sought permission to use a helicopter. Barricades will be constructed on the ground, but they can’t stop us on air," Desai said.

Talking to India Today TV, Desai said that they have been touring through western Maharashtra to garner support from different social as well as political organisations.

"The Joint charity commissioner office in Pune today gave us a a notice not to storm inside the Lord Shani Shinganapur temple on January 26 at Shinganapur in Ahmednaga district. But we have never said that we will storm inside the temple. All of the 400 or more women will walk in a single line and worship lord Shani Devata," she said.

Trupti Desai further added that they have planned a peaceful event and they don’t intent to indulge in any violence.

"We will march inside the temple even if they make human chains to stop us. We will present them with flowers and follow the path of non-violence," she said.

 

Courtesy: Indiatoday