Trupti Desai to visit Kapaleshwar temple today

Bhumata Brigade activists led by its president Trupti Desai will visit Nashik’s Shri Kapaleshwar Temple for darshan on Thursday amidst strict police bandobast.

However, locals said they would continue their opposition to women entering the sanctum.

Nashik police commissioner (CP) S. Jagannathan told this paper on Wednesday, “The high court ruling should be respected by all, and the police will ensure that all stakeholders respect the order. Care will be taken so that gender equality as well as traditions are respected.”

“We also appeal to other devotees not to assemble near the temple to exert pressure in favour of or against a particular position (sanctum entry). Any violation will invite legal action,” Mr Jagannathan added.

Mr Jagannathan earlier held a joint meeting with organisations such as Purohit Sangh and Gurav Samaj Mandal. All the persons unanimously stated that they had no objection, if Ms Desai took darshan as other women did, but she should not break thousands of years of tradition by entering the sanctum.

Nashik Purohit Sangh president Pt Satish Shukla said that only men were allowed to take darshan from the sanctum of the Shri Kapaleshwar Temple. “Trupti Desai should respect the tradition and take darshan like other women,” Mr Shukla said.

Ms Desai said, “The Gurav and Brahmin priests at Kapaleshwar Temple should not cry hoarse about traditions and casteism. I will go there today and take darshan.”