Shani temple row:Sarangi Mahajan supports temple trust's stand

Sarangi Mahajan, wife of Praveen Mahajan who killed his brother and senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan in 2006, has come out in support of Shani Shingnapur Temple trust's stand to disallow women from entering the sanctum sanctorum.
"Both men and women have been disallowed at the chauthara (platform) of the Shani temple since centuries. It is a tradition," Mahajan said.
On January 26, women members and supporters of the Bhumata Brigade had arrived from Pune in six buses with an aim to enter the temple's sanctum where the idol of Lord Shani is placed on an open-air platform.
However, the group led by Trupti Desai was stopped from marching towards the temple by police near Supa. They were also detained and released later.

"Those seeking to violate this tradition and wanting entry for women there have perverted thinking," she told PTI.
"I support the stand of the Temple's trust not to allow women from entering the sanctum sanctorum," Mahajan added.

Asked of she was making a foray into politics through the Shani temple issue, Mahajan said, "I am a BJP member and belong to a family which is a well-known political family."
"I have requested a meeting with (Maharashtra Chief Minister) Devendra Fadnavis on the Shani temple issue and to express my support to the age-old traditions of the Shani temple," she said.

At a meeting of the Gram Sabha of Shingnapur village yesterday, a resolution condemning the brigade and its chief Desai was passed.
Sarangi's husband Praveen Mahajan died in a Thane jail while serving his sentence.
"I want to strengthen BJP in Thane district," she added.