A number of organizations in Mumbai, cutting across religious lines held a march to demand equal right of access to places of worship, at the Azad Maidan yesterday. This is a hot button topic, given the recent controversy it has evoked. Originally, this was supposed to be a march from Byculla’s Saboo Siddik College to Azad Maidan. But police permission was not obtained and it was restricted to sloganeering at the Azad Maidan. “It is a celebration, rather than a protest march. Women’s Day is all about celebrating who we are and what we represent,” said Noorjehan Safia Niaz from Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, one of the organisers of the event.

Holding evocative placards the women, cutting across all religious lines, raised a rallying cry for equal access. Pics/Pradeep Dhivar