Shani shinganapur might be well-known for its unlocked doors, but this pilgrim centre is now in news for different reasons. Pilgrims from all over the country reach Shani Shinganapur of Maharashtra to offer their prayers for Shani. Devotees step over an open platform to worship the statue of Shani. BUT… here lies a restriction! Only men are allowed to step on the platform and touch the statue. In the month of November 2015, a lady has climbed the platform and touched the statue. Though she has clarified of her ignorance regarding the restriction and apologized, her act was strictly condemned. A purification ritual was performed immediately at the temple.

But this incident has raised a question. Why should women be restricted to touch the Shani statue? A voluntary organization for women called the Bhumata Brigade took up the challenge! It has announced that 400 women of Bhumata Brigade would break the tradition on the Republic Day by touching the statue. The Hindutva groups were quick to react against the challenge. Outfits such as ‘Hindu Janjagruti Samiti’ have stated that they would protect the tradition of the temple, by forming a protective circle with 2000 women. ‘Anita Shetye’ who has recently created a record by becoming the first lady chair person of Shani Shingnapur Temple Trust, also took her stand on the Hindutva side. So! Something is going to happen on January 26th.