Hindu group files PIL in HC seeking direction to govt enabling women to enter mosques

A Hindu group filed a PIL Wednesday in the Kerala High Court seeking directive to the Centre for issuing an order enabling Muslim woman to enter mosques for offering prayers.

The petitioner submitted that in the context of a recent Supreme Court order allowing entry of women of all age groups into the Sabarimala temple, the need of the hour is the entry of Muslim women devotees in mosques for prayers along with men.

He submitted that women were discriminated against by not allowing them to enter and pray in mosques in the main prayer hall.

The petition was filed by Swamy Dethathreya Sai Swaroop Nath, who is the state president of Akhila Bharatha Hindu Maha Sabha, Kerala unit.

"Thus, women of Muslim community were being disgraced and discriminated against which was against Article 21 and 14 of the Constitution," his plea said.

This was to be viewed in the context that Muslim women were allowed entry in Mecca, his petition said.

He also said imposition of a dress code like purdah for Muslim women would enable anti-social elements to misuse it and commit crimes.

This was an encroachment into the realm of personal liberty and social security, the petition said.