Post Haji Ali verdict, women now pin hope on more changes

Post the Bombay High Court verdict, women said they hope that the equality door opens further with time. Right from access to more prominent temples and mosques to ban on triple talaq and women making it to the clergy or not having to change religion after marriage.

"We will now take the fight forward for a ban on triple talaq," said Khatoon Shaikh of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan.

Talking of marriage, Goolrookh Gupta, a Parsi married to a Marwari, said, "I think the judgment is very encouraging. If women from a community considered orthodox could achieve so much, it gives a lot of hope that society is changing. It is heartening that the issue is being seen as one of constitutional equality instead of a religious matter by courts and not being taken up at all."

Gupta has been fighting a battle with her community after an Anjuman (Parsi body) in Valsad, Gujarat, banned her from entering fire temples and the Tower of Silence for marrying a non-Parsi. She has been fighting the case since 2009.

"I only hope the Supreme Court judgment comes soon in my case. If it comes when my parents are gone, what use will it be to me?"

For progressive communities, members said dialogue is on women being able to fulfil their call to priesthood, if they have such a call. Astrid Loboi Gajiwala, a Catholic who has been talking with the clergy, said, "Many religions ban women from priesthood for no other reason than the fact that they are women. One wonders where the court draws the line for intervention… One hopeful step, however, taken by Pope Francis is the formation of a commission to study the possibility of ordaining women as deacons."