'Let them pray at home first': MP minister on women's entry to temple

In a remark that has potential to stir a fresh controversy over women's entry into Shani Temple, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babu Lal Gaur on Friday said "they should first worship at home".

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"Leave it, women can worship at home," he said when his response was sought on the ongoing debate whether women should be allowed into the Shani Temple.

Around 400 women in Shani Shingnapur attempted to break decades old tradition, prohibiting women from entering the sanctum sanctorum of the temple - an issue that brought a group of activists at loggerheads with locals.

Shani Shingnapur, a village located about 330 kilometers northeast of Mumbai, is famous for the Shani temple.

The temple drew attention after a young woman defied common practice and performed 'abhishek' to lord Shani on November 27 last year.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met women activists, who were stopped from entering the temple.