A meeting of the Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan (STDT) trustees on Saturday failed to hammer out a resolution on the entry of women in the sanctum, as directed by the high court.
Speaking to The Asian Age, STDT trustee advocate Shrikant Gaidhani said that the villagers were opposed to any tampering of traditions and that means they do not want women to enter the sanctum.
“We are garnering the views of the people. Later, we will hold further meetings and decide on entry,” Mr Gaidhani said.
Pressure is mounting on STDT after the Shri Shani Shingnapur Trust on Friday broke its 400-year-old tradition and decided to allow women to climb the chauthara (platform).
The decision to open up the inner sanctum of the Shani Shingnapur temple for all was taken on Friday afternoon and Trupti Desai of Bhumata Brigade, who is leading the campaign for equality for women in temples, took a darshan on Friday evening.
During her last visit to Trimbakeshwar, Ms Desai and other activists were mobbed and almost manhandled by villagers. They had also allegedly threatened her against entering Trimbakeshwar again. Meanwhile, STDT trustee Lalita Shinde has suggested the Supreme Court should be approached against the high court’s decision in order to keep the tradition of the temple intact.
On Friday, Ms Shinde, through a WhatsApp message urged all the Hindus to support her in appealing in the Supreme Court against the HC order.
She stated that Shani Shingnapur Temple had been opened up for women but in Trimbakeshwar, the traditions, culture and size of the gabhara (sanctum) and geographical location should all be considered.
Commenting on Ms Shinde’s statement, Ms Desai said that Ms Shinde had had to fight a bitter battle till the SC, to get nominated as a trustee, as women were not allowed on STDT. “But all have the right to appeal the courts,” Ms Desai said.
