Bombay HC permits women inside Haji Ali dargah

Mumbai, Aug 26: In a historic verdict, the Bombay High Court on Friday permitted the entry of women upto the restricted grave area of the famous Haji Ali dargah located off the Worli seashore.

A division bench of Justice Justice V. M. Kanade and Justice Revati Mohite-Dhere stayed the judgement for six weeks to allow an appeal in the Supreme Court.

The court's ruling came on a PIL filed by NGO Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan and women activists Noorjehan Niaz and Zakia Soman.

The PIL had challenged a move by the Haji Ali Dargah Trust prohibiting women from entering the "sanctum sanctorum" area of the shrine built in 1431.

The shrine comprises the grave of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a Muslim saint revered by all communities.

While permitting women to enter the restricted areas along with men, the court asked the Maharashtra government to ensure their safety and security.

Terming the ban a violation of the fundamental rights of a person enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the judges stayed their verdict for six weeks to allow an appeal in the Supreme Court.

A spokesperson for the trust said they will appeal against the ruling in the Supreme Court.

The trust in June 2012 had barred women's entry on the grounds that in Islam women are not allowed to touch the tombs of male saints and it was a "sin" for them to enter the area where the grave is located.

IANS