Angry protesters tried to enter activist Trupti Desai's car on Thursday during her bid to enter the Haji Ali dargah in Mumbai, prompting the police to whisk her away to another location. While a defiant Desai was planning another attempt to enter, crucial time was lost and the dargah was shut down for the day.

An angry Desai now plans to go to the Chief Minister's residence to voice her protest on being denied entry to the dargah.

The activist, who has entered a number of places of worship that had barred women from the sanctum sanctorum, had resolved to enter the dargah - one of the most recognisable landmarks of Mumbai. "When I reached Haji Ali dargah, the protesters tried to enter my car. The police immediately took me to another place," she told reporters.

The Bhoomata Ranragini Brigade president had launched a forum 'Haji Ali For All', along with several other women, NGOs and social groups, to campaign for women's entry into the shrine. After battling for women's right to worship and enter temples like Shani Shingnapur in Kolhapur and the Trimbakeshwar temple, Desai brought her protest for women's rights to the Haji Ali dargah.

Meanwhile, several people gathered outside the dargah to demand equal rights for men and women and extend their support to Trupti Desai.

Earlier in the day, AIMIM had threatened to smear ink on Desai if she tried to enter the dargah. Shiv Sena leader Haji Arafat has also warned Desai not to touch the mazar-e-sharif at the dargah.

In February, the Maharashtra government had supported the entry of women to the dargah. However, the Haji Ali dargah Trust justified its stand on the ground that allowing women to the shrine would be against the religion.