New Delhi, April 16: With changing attitudes and embracing different perspective, Indian society has changed its outlook towards women. Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice on a Writ Petition seeking to declare the practices of the prohibition of entry of Muslim Women in Mosque in India as illegal, unconstitutional. The petition also seeks to declare it is being a violation of Articles 14, 15, 21, 25 and 29 of the Constitution. The petition filed by a Muslim couple places heavy reliance on the SC verdict in Sabarimala case, which had overturned the ban on entry of women in the age group of 10 to 50 years to the temple. The notices have been issued to the Central Government, Waqf Board and All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
The petitioners alleged that they had written a letter on regarding permission for women to offer their prayer or Namaj in Mosque in the Mohmdiya Jama Masjid, Bopodi, Pune. But the mosque administration had responded to the petitioner's request stating that no practice of entry of women in Mosque is permitted in Pune and other areas yet they have written a letter to Daud Kajha and Daud Ullum Devvand and would respond to petitioner's request.
In response to the said letter, the Imam of Jama Masjid, Bopodi, Pune had written that since no permission can be granted and he is not sure about the entry of women in the mosque, as such he had written to higher authorities for consideration of petitioner's request and requisite directions. Aggrieved by the above response, the petitioners have approached the Supreme Court.
What is a Writ petition?
A writ petition can be filed in the High Court (Article 226) or the Supreme Court (Article 32) of India when any of your fundamental rights are violated. The jurisdiction with the High Courts (Article 226) with regards to a writ petition is wider and extends to constitutional rights too.