Mahalaxmi Temple: Local Women Stop Trupti Desai at Inner Sanctum

Failing to follow a police order to wear a sari, Trupti Desai was initially stopped from entering the Temple.

Activist Trupti Desai (in blue, center) offering prayer at the Shani Shingnapur temple after the gates were opened for women, in Ahmednagar on Friday, 8 April 2016. (Photo: PTI)  

Trupati Desai, the Bhumata Brigade activist finally entered the Mahalaxmi temple on Wednesday. She was initially stopped by police and prevented from entering the temple premises in Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

However, she was prevented from entering the inner sanctum of the temple by local women.

Trupti Desai being prevented from entering the sanctum sanctorum of Mahalaxmi temple. (Photo: ANI)

The Kolhapur police had passed an order which required Trupati Desai to wear a sari to be able to enter the temple. Desai refused to follow this order, and therefore was stopped from entering the premises.

A smiling Trupti Desai said:

We are going to Mahalakshmi Temple now, we are going there with due respect.

Earlier this month, the Bhumata Brigade had been prevented from entering the core shrine area of the Shani Shingnapur temple in Ahmednagar district.

Following this, the Brigade had filed a contempt of court in the Bombay High Court against the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis.

A fresh attempt was made at entering another temple, the Mahalaxmi Temple in Kolhapur, but the group was once again stopped from entering.