Women’s march to Shani temple stopped

The moment the buses of activists under the banner of Bhumata Brigade reached Supa village, the volunteers led by its president Trupti Desai were disallowed from moving forward by scores of police personnel, who formed ring to foil their march towards the famous temple. 

Desai, who on Monday claimed her volunteers will climb down ladders from a helicopter to offer prayers at the ‘chauthara’ (platform) of Lord Shani temple if they were not allowed access, was detained and taken to Supa police station. In a tense showdown, the activists vehemently protested against the police action and raised slogans and lay down on the road, screaming “it is a black day for women on Republic Day.” 

“Police have stopped around 350 women at Supa and necessary action will be taken against them,” Additional Superintendent of Police, Pankaj Deshmukh told PTI. 

Desai, while speaking to reporters amid the stand-off, said that action against them was “condemnable” and that it was a “black day” for women as well as Indian democracy on Republic Day.” An angry Desai demanded to know why women were being discriminated against and asserted the activists will go ahead with their plans