Notices prohibiting the entry of “girls,” whether travelling alone or in groups, have been posted outside the main gates of Delhi’s renowned Jama Masjid by the administration. The Shahi Imam intervened to clarify that the rule does not apply to people who are coming to offer prayers as the situation caused uproar in some places.
According to administrative sources, the warnings, which bear no date, appeared a few days ago outside the three main entry gates. However, nobody was aware of it until recently.
“Jama Masjid mein ladki ya ladkiyon ka akele daakhla mana hai (The entry of a girl, or girls is not permitted in Jama Masjid),” reads the notice by the administration.
The decision was made, according to Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the Shahi Imam, after some “incidents” were reportedly recorded on the grounds of the historic building.
“Jama Masjid is a place of worship and people are welcome for that. But girls coming alone and waiting for their dates… this is not what this place is meant for. The restriction is on that,” Bukhari told PTI.
Bukhari added that religious places are a place of worship and those who wish to pray in these premises can do so. “Just today, a group of 20-25 girls visited and they were allowed to enter,” Bukhari added.
Swati Maliwal, the head of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), referred to it as a breach of women’s rights and said that she was sending a notice.
She took to Twitter and said that the restriction on women to enter Jama Masjid is completely wrong. She also added that she will issue a notice to imam of Jama Masjid.
Both visitors and devotees go to the monument from the Mughal Empire, built in the 17th century.
(With inputs from PTI)
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