- Success of unity exhibited by local residents and Hindutvavadis !
- Issue of ban on women for climbing temple sanctum at Shani Shingnapur !
- Shani-devotees experience existence of Shanidev !
Shani Shingnapur (Maharashtra) : Millions of devotees revere Shri Shanidev at the pilgrimage place of Shani Shingnapur. Many of them have had experiences of ‘swayambhoo’ Shanidev’s existence. As per the saying ‘Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah’ i.e. one who protects Dharma, is protected by Dharma i.e. God, devotees experienced it on 26th January. Declaring themselves as devotees of Shri. Shanidev, egoistic activists of ‘Bhoomata Brigade’ started such movement only for getting publicity. They were adamant about getting access to the temple sanctum of Shanidev although entry of women is prohibited on this temple sanctum.
Devout Hindus, Shani-devotees, Hindutvavadi women, local residents and Devasthan Trust members took it upon themselves to protect religious traditions of Hindus as they learnt about the plan of atheist women from ‘Bhoomata Brigade’ who were not ready to accept Dharma-shastra, had decided to go to Shani Shingnapur and try to climb the temple sanctum. Accordingly, they left Pune to go to Nagar district. There was uncertainty till afternoon whether the atheists would be able to go to Shani Shingnapur and then what the situation would be. Shanidev, however, expected that religious traditions should be followed and through the medium of police, local Government administration, ‘Bhoomata Beigade’s Trupti Desai and other women activists were stopped at Supe, the entry point of Nagar district, taken them into custody.
Shri. Subhash Patil of ‘Akhil Bharatiya Maratha Seva Sangh’ and its State Vice-President, Dr. Krushiraj Takale, Sanatan Sanstha’s legal adviser advocate Shri. Suresh Kulkarni, more than 100 residents of Shani Shingnapur like Shri. Rajendra Shete, Shri. Tukaram Banakar, Shri. Raosaheb Banakar, Shri. Shivaji Shete, advocate Sayaram Banakar, VHP’s Shri. Kiran Chandel, Bajarang Dal’s Shri. Santosh Pandure etc. and representatives of pro-Hindu organizations were present on the occasion.
