Mumbai : Senior citizens of Shani Shingnapur are heart-broken and have given up meals because 400 year-old tradition of having ‘darshana’ from the base of temple sanctum of Shani Mandir has been broken. Whole place is regretting the incident. None of the local women or women from surrounding villages has climbed the temple sanctum. The Government should continue earlier religious tradition followed at Shani Mandir of having ‘darshan’ from the base of sanctum platform; else it can lead to people’s outbreak of religious sentiments. The above demand was made by local women residents of Shani Shingnapur and women activists of Ranaragini Division, promoted by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS); by personally meeting State Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis, Legislative Assembly (LA) Chairman Shri. Haribhau Bagade, Revenue Minister Shri. Eknath Khadase and Guardian Minister of Nagar District Prof. Ram Shinde.
Representation was submitted to the Chief Minister on behalf of Ranaragini Division for protection of religious traditions, as has been done by State Government of Kerala. CM Shri. Fadanvis promised to look into the matter. LA Chairman Shri. Bagade said that the Government would try to find solution to this problem within a month whereas Guardian Minister of Nagar District responded positively to the delegation, comprising of members viz. BJP MLA Shri. Balasaheb Murkute from Nevasa; Kum. Pratiksha Korgaonkar, State Convener of Ranaragini Division; Dr. Uday Dhuri, spokesperson of HJS for Mumbai; Shri. Abhay Vartak, spokesperson of Sanatan Sanstha and 5 local women-activists from Shani Shingnapur. MLA Shri. Murkute helped the delegation to get entry in Vidhan Bhavan and meeting CM and other ministers.
Devasthan Trustee Board should pass resolution prohibiting everyone from entering temple sanctum ! – Prof. Ram Shinde
Guardian Minister Prof. Ram Shinde said that personally he agreed with the demand. He too had tried a lot for protecting religious sentiments of people; therefore, initially nobody was allowed on temple’s sanctum platform; but on the day of Gudhi Padava, men were allowed on the platform in the background of ‘kawad’ fair and trustees had to allow even women as per Court’s orders. He said that attempts were made to protect religious traditions of Trimbakeshwar but their hands are tied due to Court’s orders; nothing can be done beyond law. Local residents and Devasthan Trustee Board will have to unanimously pass a resolution that nobody would be allowed in temple sanctum and sanctum platform of Shani Mandir so that it can be implemented. Local residents need to come forward for the same.
Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat
