A month ago, when Kerala assembly polls were being held, Maharashtra’s women activist Trupti desai had announced that she would take up the long-pending issue of Sabarimala temple which bars women of reproductive age, a sensitive point for Keralites. One month down the line, she did not make any move towards the cause.
However, she made headlines by holding a token protest at Haji Ali Dargah only to withdraw later and then by shooting off a letter to RSS Cheif Mohan Bhagwat, insisting that women must be allowed to make entry into the male-only organisation. Bhagwat has agreed to meet her sometime in July.
Making another move on Wednesday, she dispatched a letter to the prime minster Narendra Modi demanding a law to offer equal rights to women at all religious places and end the arbitrary discriminations imposed by the religious trusts.
She has also sought an audience with the PM so that she can make him understand her point of view.
“Bhumata brigade appreciates the BJP-led central and Maharshtra government’s approach towards women. We also respect Parliament and believe that it’s the temple of democracy and equality. Our movements are not aimed at personal interests but they are to seek equal rights and respect for women in every sphere of life. Just as you believe in self-reliance of this country, we also believe in seeking equal right for women,” reads the letter written in Hindi.
“Our aim is to end gender-based discrimination in the country. It is not against any particular person, group or religion,” writes Desai clarifying her intentions to the PM, which is always doubted by her opponents.
She tells the PM that a Union law in this regard would help end the prevailing gender injustice at various religious places. To help materialise it, she has also sought PM’s appointment as and when possible depending up on his ‘busy schedule’.
While Desai’s previous letters to the temple trusts are “plainspeak”, the letter to the prime minster appears “too formal” and “soft” possibly considering the dignity of the top chair.
“To have your guidance in this regard would be encouraging and gracious for us. We hope that you would spare sometime from your busy schedule for us,” she writes, concluding the letter with Jai Hind.
“I look forward to his reply now,” Desai says. When asked about Sabarimala, she said that issue still on her cards though it’s delayed.
@Agency report.
