KOCHI: The high court on Thursday dismissed a Hindu right wing organization's petition seeking permission for Muslim women to enter mosques and offer prayers. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar said the petitioner has not produced enough evidence to show that Muslim women are facing discrimination owing to denial of entry to mosques. The court also said Muslim women should approach the court if they are aggrieved.The petition was filed by Swamy Dethathreya Sai Swaroop Nath, state president of Akhila Bharatha Hindu Mahasabha, as a party-in-person.During admission hearing on Thursday, the court questioned the locus standi of the petitioner. The petitioner submitted that he can approach the court for any religion and argued that Muslim women are facing discrimination in not being allowed to enter mosques. The court pointed out that Muslim women are allowed to enter the mosque at Mecca.Further, the court asked whether any Muslim woman has filed a petition raising the demand. The petitioner submitted that many Muslim women have told him about not being allowed into mosques.The court then said that it was not proper to approach it with a petition that is based on hearsay and it is up to the Muslim women themselves to approach the court if they face discrimination.When the court asked the petitioner as to what his intention in filing the petition was, the petitioner said his stance is that women of all religions should be allowed to enter their places of worship in view of the Supreme Court judgment on entry of women to Sabarimala. The court said there was no link between the judgment on Sabarimala and the petitioner's demand. Such a demand can be considered by the court if Muslim women raise such a demand, the bench said.Stating that Prophet Muhammad had fought against the adamancy or obstinacy of the conservatives of those days, the petitioner had contended that a true follower of Muhammad will always be willing to accept and adjust to the changed circumstances of life.

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