Mumbai, Oct 19 (Mumbai Mirror): Decks have been cleared for women’s entry inside the Haji Ali Dargah’s sanctum sanctorum. The dargah management sources said that a ‘mechanism’ has been devised wherein women will be able to access the sanctum through a separate entrance.

This comes a day after senior advocate Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the dargah management, told the Supreme Court that he had been able to “persuade” the management to devise a mechanism to resolve the issue. Subramanium was not able to elaborate as the court did not take up the case due to paucity of time.

The dargah sources told Mumbai Mirror that the apex court will be informed of the steps to be taken during the next hearing, which could take place on Monday. “It could be a winwin situation for everyone,” a dargah source said.

“Our aim is to ensure the sanctity of the dargah is maintained, and all those who come to pray here remain safe at all times. A separate entrance for women will ensure their safety, and the praying areas for men and women will be segregated,” the source added.

The Supreme Court on October 17 extended the stay granted by Bombay High Court to facilitate an appeal against its decision to lift the ban on entry of women inside the sanctum sanctorum of dargah till October 24.

The apex court had on October 7 expressed hope that the Haji Ali Dargah Trust, which has challenged the Bombay High Court judgment, “will take a stand which is progressive”. Subramaniam had also assured the bench that he was on a “progressive mission”, and said all holy books and scriptures promoted equality and nothing which is regressive in character should be suggested. The SC bench had also remarked that “if you are not allowing both men and women to go beyond a point, there is no problem. But if you are allowing some to go beyond a point while others are not, it is aproblem”.

Women were banned from entering the inner sanctum in 2012 by a decision of the dargah trust, saying entry of women near the tomb of a male saint was not permissible. The Bombay High Court struck down the ban, saying it was in contravention of Articles 14 (right to equality), 15 (non-discrimination) and 25 (right to practice religion) of the Constitution of India, and directed that the status quo ante be restored and women allowed entry on par with men. The dargah is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Mumbai, and it contains the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.