'Discrimination in worshiping God is not our culture': Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday urged the administration in Ahmednagar district to initiate dialogue with the women activists, who were detained and later released by the police for marching towards the Shani Shingnapur temple.

The activists of Ranragini Bhumata Brigade led by Trupti Desai have called on women activists to break the centuries old tradition of not allowing the feminine gender to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Shani Shingnapur temple.

"Women have always been given independence to worship In Indian traditions and Hindu religion. But change in traditions according to time, this is our culture...discrimination in worshiping God is not our culture," Fadnavis said in a statement.

"The Administration should take initiative to solve the issues... District magistrate and the superintendent of police of Ahmednagar district are instructed to establish dialogue avoiding any confrontation and seniors from the society should lead in this dialogue," he added.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde assured that the matter would be sorted out soon.

"Maharashtra government to mediate for talks between Shani Shingnapur temple trust and the protesting women...This is a matter of law and order but being guardian minister of the district I will insure that the issues are sorted out as soon as possible," Shinde told ANI.

After being stopped by the police near Supa in Maharasthra, activist Trupti Desai said that it was a black day for women as they were being stopped from exercising their rights.

The temple drew attention in November 2015 after a woman had offered prayers at the popular shrine in 'breach' of the age-old practice of prohibiting entry of women, after which the temple committee had to suspend seven security men and the villagers to perform purification rituals.

The temple platform attracts millions of tourists and devotees from across the country and abroad.