Delhi's Jama Masjid BANS entry of women visiting alone or in group; DCW issues notice

NEW DELHI: Delhi’s popular Jama Masjid has issued an order imposing a ban on the entry of women coming there alone or in groups. Sabiullah Khan, Jama Masjid's PRO said, "There is no restriction on girls/women coming with families, no restriction on married couples either." "When women come alone, improper acts are done, videos get shot, this ban is to stop all of that. Making it a meeting point is not apt for religious places. No restrictions are there on families or married couples," Khan told ANI.

#WATCH| Delhi|Women's entry not banned. When women come alone-improper acts done, videos shot,ban is to stop this. No restrictions on families/married couples.Making it a meeting point inapt for religious places:Sabiullah Khan,Jama Masjid PRO on entry of women coming alone banned pic.twitter.com/HiOebKaiGr

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2022

The Jama Masjid administration has also posted warning signs outside the mosque notifying tourists that girls are not allowed inside. The sign boards are located outside the mosque's three entrances. "Girls/women are not permitted to enter Jama Masjid alone," read the signboards. However, women will be permitted to enter the Mosque with their husbands or families, according to the masjid administration.

Delhi | Jama Masjid administration issues an order, imposing a ban on the entry of girls/women coming alone or in a group.

PRO Sabiullah Khan says, "There is no restriction on girls/women coming with families, no restriction on married couples either." pic.twitter.com/V7g5OvZWnh

— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2022

The move has evoked a sharp response from several quarters with people calling it a "fundamentalist mentality." Reacting to it, Delhi Commission for Women's (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal issued a notice to the Imam of Jama Masjid, saying that "no one has the right to ban the entry of women like this."

The DCW chief said on Twitter, "The decision to stop the entry of women in Jama Masjid is absolutely wrong. As much as a man has the right to worship, so also a woman. I am issuing notice to the Imam of Jama Masjid."

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also criticised the decision, calling it "anti-women." It also encouraged the Women and Child Development Ministry and the National Women Commission to act in the case.