The Supreme Court of India recently stated that a 7-judge Constitution Bench would consider the entry of women into mosques and the practice of khafz, prevalent among the Dawoodi Bohras. The Supreme Court of India, when passing judgement to refer the Sabrimala case to the same bench, also stated that the court should tread with caution in cases of religion, and equal rights.
Ms. Samina Kanchwala, Secretary, Dawoodi Bohra Women's Association for Religious Freedom (DBWRF) issued a statement on the same:
For centuries, women have largely been looked upon as the weaker sex, but not among the Dawoodi Bohra community. We are treated as equal counterparts to men, and enjoy all the same opportunities as them, Be it entry to our mosques, education, and even circumcision, the very fabric of our being is gender equality. We welcome statements made in the Supreme Court that in matters of religious practices and religion, courts must tread with caution. Additionally, in all three cases in question, what binds them, is not rituals, religion, or personal laws, but that of gender justice. This common thread must become the norm for us to progress as an equitable society in the real sense.