Jains Hold Massive Protests In Mumbai, Delhi Against J'khand Govt's Decision On Shri Sammed Shikharji

The community is also protesting against the Jharkhand government's decision to declare the pilgrimage site 'Sammed Shikharji' a tourist place.

New Delhi: Members of the Jain community are holding a protest in Mumbai and Delhi against the vandalisation of the temple in Palitana and the decision of the Jharkhand government to declare the 'Shri Sammed Shikharji' a tourist place. 

The community staged a protest at India Gate against the Jharkhand government's decision.

Maharashtra minister MP Lodha told news agency ANI, “We are protesting against the vandalisation of the temple in Palitana and Jharkhand govt's decision. The Gujarat govt has taken action but we want strict action against them (who vandalised the temple). Today more than 5 lakh people are on the streets. 

The protest erupted after CCTV footage showed some miscreants vandalising the steps and pole of the temple in Palitana, Shatrunjaya hill. 

As per reports, the community has also alleged illegal encroachment near Shatrunjaya hill. A statement from the organisation said that houses are being built illegally on gauchar, the land reserved for cattle grazing and also forest land, reported TOI. 

Some have also alleged the running of illegal liquor shops around the area and asked the government to intervene. 

Jharkhand Government And Shri Sammed Shikharji 

Shri Sammed Shikharji is located at Parasnath Hills in Jharkhand and is one of Jain’s holiest pilgrimage centres. The state government has decided to make it a tourist place which has irked the community. They fear that the decision will affect the sanctity of the place. Jharkhand government took the decision as part of the Tourism Policy launched in July last year. 

Jain pilgrimage centre is important because 20 of the total 24 Tirthankars attained salvation here. Every year, thousands of Jains undertake the 27 km long trek of climbing the hills to see the houses of salvation shrines of 20 Tirthankaras. 

According to FPJ, Palitana is considered a holy place for the Jains because the first Tirthankar is said to have attained Moksha there while Sammed Shikharji is considered one of the holiest pilgrimage places because 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras among other monks attained Moksha there.