CLOSURE AT SHANI SHINGNAPUR , AFTER 400 YEARS

women

Gudi Padwa

Supreme Court

the move

Bindumadhav Khire

Samapathik Trust

Sayaram Bankar

rush

Payal Khalade

The(SC) may have kept the basic rights of the transgender community pending still, but the sanctum storm at the Shani Shingnapur temple on Gudi Padwa has broken several barriers with one clean sweep. Article 377, yet to be scrapped by the SC, has kept on hold the third gender’s way of life. But, on Friday, the temple trustees accorded them the right to worship freely by declaring its sanctum sanctorum open to all.Even thoughwas hailed by transgenders and activists relentlessly fighting for their cause, they rued the fact that the trust had to be coaxed by a court into making such a decision., founder ofthat works for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, told Mirror, “We had to wait till the 21st century to witness such decision, that too, after a court order, which is a shame.But, I do welcome the change and the acceptance. Other institutions should also follow in their footsteps and help the transgender community to merge into the mainstream.”Speaking to Pune Mirror after a hurried meeting that came upon this consensus,, one of the temple trustees, said, “At Friday’s meeting, we have decided to keep the platform open for all types of devotees to enter and offer prayers. According to the decision, men, women and transgenders can enter the sanctum santorum. There is always a hugeof devotees at the temple, of which women constitute a large number. Since we have now allowed women to enter the platform, it will be impossible to keep transgenders out. So, we have decided to give all genders an equal right to pray here.”Not that it was a willing inclusion by the temple trust, which has been bombarded first by women activists wishing access to the inner sanctum and then a Bombay High Court (HC) order declaring that a woman can go to any place of worship where a man is allowed in. In a bid to bypass this directive, the trust had even declared that men will be barred from the sanctum for the Gudi Padwa ritual bathing of the deity, so that women cannot bid for the same privilege. But, Friday saw village men swarming the sanctum to carry out a 400-year-old tradition, which had the trust so unnerved that it decided to invite everybody to the previously restricted space, including transgenders.Nevertheless, it’s a proud moment for the community, which is still oppressed at so many spheres of life. Many activists fighting for the rights of transgenders have called it a landmark decision., a transgender working with Samapathik Trust, insisted, “The decision is not just restricted to allowing entry onto the temple platform. It’s a giant step for us into the mainstream. The transgender community is always neglected and we face discrimination at every step. However, today’s decision by the trust is a big boost to our quest for the equality our Constitution has accorded us. I have visited the Shani Shingnapur temple a number of times, but not once were we allowed to enter the platform. Now, after the trust’s decision, I will definitely be going to the temple along with my community members to exercise our right.”But, Khire was sceptical. “We still have a long way to go as far as equality within the society is concerned. There are several issues that the transgender community is facing. But, with decisions like this, I am hoping for some positive turn of events for the community in future,” he said. Another transgender, who did not wish to be named, added, “It is a welcome move and I hope other institutions also take note of it and give us equal status like other genders.”█ There are several issues that the transgender community is facing. But, with decisions like this, I am hoping for some positive turn of events for the community in future