Bombay High Court to hear plea challenging ban on women in Haji Ali sanctum on March 16

The Bombay high court on Monday informed that on March 16, it will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the ban on the entry of women into the sanctum of the Haji Ali Dargah, which houses the mazaar (tomb) of the saint.

A division bench of Justices VM Kanade and AR Joshi heard a PIL filed by activists Noorjehan Niaz and Zakia Soman of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, who experienced "first hand the restriction" which was imposed in 2012. Their petition says that right from their childhood, they were allowed unimpeded access to the inner sanctum (mazaar), but now there is a barricade.

Another bench at the preliminary hearing on January 28 had framed constitutional questions for the petitioners to respond. Advocate Raju Moray, appearing for the petitioners, submitted their response and told the court that the prayers are innocuous and could be worked out.

Advocate for the Haji Ali Dargah Trust said the ban was imposed to avoid sexual harassment of women, and that he would rely on two Supreme Court judgments. The judges then said they would hear the matter and decide on it in three weeks', on March 16.