Temple row: Desai targets Maharashtra CM, warns of FIR

Pune, Apr 2: Upset over police action preventing women activists from entering the sacred platform of the Shani temple, Bhumata Ranragini Brigade leader Trupti Desai today said she would file an FIR against Maharashtra Chief Minister if he fails to honour the Bombay High Court order facilitating entry of females at places of worship.

"If Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis does not order police to allow us to worship at the Shani platform inside the temple in keeping with the HC order, I will file an FIR against him for violating it (the ruling)," she said.

The activist was talking to reporters outside the Shani Shinganapur temple in Ahmednagar, some 120 km from here, where she and other women activists were stopped by police to avoid clash with villagers who had gathered there to protect the tradition banning women's entry. Lashing out at Fadnavis, Desai said the Chief Minister holds the Home portfolio as well and has jurisdiction over the state police.

"If he cannot order the police to honour the High Court's order, he should give up the Home portfolio," Desai said, adding she would try to contact Prime Minister Narendra Modi also to seek his intervention.

The High Court had yesterday directed the state to take pro-active steps for ensuring compliance of the law that prevents discrimination against women regarding entry into places of worship, saying "it is the fundamental right of a woman" and the government should protect it.

PTI