According to a latest development, members of the Jain community, who had been protesting across the country, have called off their agitation after their demands were accepted by the Centre on Thursday, January 5, sources stated.
In recent days, hundreds of members of the Jain community had taken to the streets in cities across India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Delhi, Ranchi and Surat, to protest against two issues that they say threaten the sanctity of their faith.
First Issue
The first issue is the decision of the Jharkhand government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, to develop Sammed Shikharji, a hill temple that is spiritually and religiously significant to the Jain community, as an ecotourism spot.
The Jains believe that the development of Sammed Shikharji and the alleged activities near Shatrunjaya hill will have a detrimental impact on the sanctity of these places, which are central to their faith and their spiritual practices.
Sammed Shikharji is one of the holiest pilgrimage centers for Jains, and is where 20 of the total 24 Tirthankars, or spiritual leaders, attained salvation. Every year, a number of Jains undertake the 27 km trek up the hills to visit the salvation shrines of the 20 Tirthankars. The Jains fear that the development of the site as an ecotourism spot will undermine the spiritual significance of the place and disrupt the pilgrimage process.
Second Issue
The second issue driving the demonstrations is the alleged vandalism, encroachment, and sale of illicit liquor near Shatrunjaya hill in Palitana town in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The Shatrunjaya hills are home to 865 Jain temples and are a holy place for Shwetambara Jains.
The protests were ignited by the release of CCTV footage that reportedly showed miscreants vandalizing the steps and pole of a temple on the hill. In addition, some members of the Jain community have accused the government of failing to intervene in the alleged sale of illegal liquor in the area.
Background
The demonstrations by the Jain community have been taking place over the last week in cities across India. These demonstrations mark a rare foray into political activism for the Jain community, which typically distances itself from politics. However, the issues at hand are of such great importance to the community that they feel compelled to speak out and take action.
Responses
The demonstrations by the Jain community have drawn attention and response from authorities and other organizations.
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)."
Meanwhile, the protests have garnered the support of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and have elicited responses from the Jharkhand and Gujarat governments. However, it remains to be seen what further actions, if any, will be taken in response to the demonstrations.
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