Trupti Desai offers prayers at Haji Ali Dargah

Mumbai, Aug 28 (PTI) Two days after Bombay High Courtlifted the ban on women’s entry in Haji Ali Dargah, BhumataBrigade activist Trupti Desai today visited the shrine andoffered a ‘chadar’, while announcing that her next crusade forwomen’s right to pray would be Kerala’s Sabarimala temple. "Last time, when we came here at Haji Ali Dargah, weprayed for the verdict of the high court on our side. Sinceour prayer was heard and fulfilled, we came here to seek theblessings of Haji Ali Baba and offered him a ‘chadar’," Desaitold reporters outside the shrine, located on an islet off thecoast of Worli in Mumbai. One of the most recognisable landmarks of the city, theIndo-Islamic architectural structure contains the tomb ofSayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Thanking the people of the country, including Muslims,for their support, Desai requested the Dargah’s trust to notmove the Supreme Court against the HC’s judgement, but exudedconfidence that the apex court would rule in women’s favour ifsuch a step was taken. "I request the trustees with folded hands to follow theverdict of the high court and not go to the Supreme Court tochallenge the order as this was in favour of the all thewomen in the country. "If the trustees prefer to knock on the Supreme Court’sdoor, then nothing is going to change because the apex courttoo would uphold the constitutional right of the women and Iam fully confident about it," she said. "If the trustees give a serious thought over the meritsof the high court’s verdict, then it is possible that thedoors of Baba can be opened in next two days only for thewomen devotees," said the womens’ right activist. The activist also said that she wanted to meet thetrustees today, but no one was available since it was aSunday. In a landmark judgement, the Bombay High Court had onFriday lifted the ban imposed on women from entering thesanctum sanctorum of Haji Ali Dargah here, saying itcontravenes fundamental rights and that the trust has no rightto prohibit women’s entry into a public place of worship. The court, however, stayed its order for six weeksfollowing a plea by Haji Ali Dargah Trust, which wants tochallenge it in the Supreme Court. (MORE) PRI APM GKBSA