Bhopal: Amid ongoing standoff between women protesters and Shani Shingnapur temple authorities over right to worship inside temple, the Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Babulal Gaur 's latest statement is likely to snowball into a massive controversy.
When asked about the ongoing fiasco over the right to worship at Maharashtra's Shani Shingnapur temple, the controversial minister on Friday said, "Leave it...it will be enough for them (women) even if they worship at home."
Women can worship from home, says MP Home Minister Babulal Gaur on Shani Shingnapur temple issue. pic.twitter.com/iN0Q9YC67N
&; ANI (@ANI_news) January 29, 2016
Arrey chhodo. Mahila ghar mein puja kar le- Babulal Gaur, MP Home Minister on Shani Shingnapur temple issue.
&; ANI (@ANI_news) January 29, 2016
What is Shani Shingnapur temple issue
Around 1,500 women from all over Maharashtra had gathered at Shani Shingnapur temple on Tuesday to troop down to the temple and perform prayers at the temple, dedicated to Lord Shani -- the personification of planet Saturn.
According to the centuries-old traditions, women are barred from entering and worshipping here.
The temple platform stands in the centre of the small village, also known as Sonai, and attracts millions of tourists and devotees from across the country and abroad.
However, barring the temple priests, none is permitted to climb the nine steps up to the actual stone idol that represents the deity. Everybody must only offer prayers from below the platform.
Shani Shingnapur is globally known as the only village where houses do not have doors and locks, and the village remains theft-free.
Even the nationalised UCO Bank's branch in the village does not have locks on its doors.
