December 10, 2018
Two months after the Supreme Court lifted the centuries-old practice of prohibiting women to enter the Sabarimala in Kerala, a petition on similar lines has been moved before the Delhi High Court seeking entry of women into the sanctum sanctorum of the Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Dargah here.
A High Court Bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V.K. Rao sought the reply of the Centre, the city government and police on the petition filed in public interest by three women, who are studying law.
The Bench also sought response from the trust managing the dargah (shrine) before the next date of hearing on April 11, 2019.
The petition has claimed that there is a notice put up outside the dargah — a shrine built over the grave of a religious figure — clearly stating in English and Hindi that women are not allowed inside.
The notice board at the dargah reads: Aurtonka andar jaana mana hai, which is also written in English — Ladies are not allowed inside.
“While the entire nation is professing and advocating the entry of women in all religious institutions without any discrimination and the same having been further allowed and promoted by the Supreme Court in the recent Sabarimala judgment, the women in the heart of the country — Capital — are being discriminated with their entry into the dargah of the Hazrat Nizamuddin that is just 15 minutes away from the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court,” the plea said. The conception of the petition began with the three women going to Hazrat Nizamuddin Ali dargah to pay homage and offer chaadar to the shrine on November 27, 2018, when they were prohibited to go inside the Holy Shrine.
They were also not allowed to offer chaadar and flowers and perform the rituals.
‘Public place’
It was contended by the petitioners that Nizamuddin dargah by its very nature is a public place and prohibition of entry of anyone in a public place on the basis of gender is contrary to the framework of the Constitution of India.
No response from police
The law students claimed that they made several representations to authorities, including the Delhi Police, but did not get any response.
There are many dargahs in other States which do not prohibit the entry of women, including Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan’s Ajmer and Haji Ali.
“Court should allow entry of women in each and every dargah because according to courts it effects equality in nation !!”- Editor, Vedic Upasana Peeth
Source : The Hindu
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