Protest not the 'correct approach': Vaidya on Shani temple row

RSS ideologue MG Vaidya on Wednesday said it was not right on part of the women activists to stage a protest for not being allowed to enter the Shani Shingnapur temple and added that one should ponder over taking the legal course in pursuit of justice.

"I personally feel that the women should be allowed in the temple, but still there would be some rules and regulations of the temple which needs to be obeyed," Vaidya told ANI.

"If someone feels that the decision curtails the fundamental rights provided by the Constitution then one can proceed to court and demand justice, but staging a protest is not the correct approach," he added.

Vaidya further said that the entry in temples should be left to the concerned administration.

Meanwhile, the members of the board that runs the temple have said they are ready 'for a dialogue' after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the issue should be resolved through dialogue.

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"Indian culture and Hindu religion gives women the right to pray. A change in yesterday's traditions is our culture. Discrimination in praying is not in our culture. The temple authorities should resolve the issue through a dialogue," Fadnavis tweeted.

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The women, members and supporters of the Bhumata Brigade, arrived from Pune yesterday in six buses and wanted to enter the temple's sanctum where the idol of Lord Shani is placed on an open-air platform.

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However, the group led by women activist Trupti Desai was stopped from marching towards the temple by the police near Supa.

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They were also detained by the police for some time, but later released.

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After being stopped by the police, Trupti said that it was a black day for women as they were being stopped from exercising their rights.

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The temple drew attention in November 2015 after a woman had offered prayers at the popular shrine in 'breach' of the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women, after which the temple committee had to suspend seven security men and the villagers to perform purification rituals.

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The temple attracts millions of tourists and devotees from across the country and abroad.