Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal said on Thursday that she would issue a notice to Jama Masjid for “stopping the entry of women”, even though the mosque’s management said there were only inappropriately dressed visitors disrespecting the sanctity of the place of worship barricaded.
The decision to stop women from entering Jama Masjid is absolutely wrong. Just as a man has a right to worship, so does a woman. I issue a notice to the Imam of Jama Masjid. No one has the right to stop the entry of women like this,” Maliwal tweeted.
Ansar-ul-Haq, the mosque’s public relations assistant, said some women were filming music and dance videos inside the 17th-century mosque, disrespecting the sanctity of the mosque. “Entry is allowed for others who visit with family members for a trip or picnic. Even if a student or any other woman wants to visit, they can visit as long as they respect the surroundings.”
Mosque officials said a plaque at the site that reads “women are not allowed to enter the mosque alone” is intended for visitors who are inappropriately dressed and disrespect the sanctity of the place of worship.
