- DIMAPUR — Rajesh
Kumar Sethi, the All India Congress Committee Minority department’s National
Coordinator in-charge (Manipur) for the Jain community, has written to Chief
Minister Neiphiu Rio urging the state to recognise Jainism as a distinct
religion in all official documents and digital platforms.
- In his letter, Sethi highlighted that despite the government
of India granting minority status to Jainism on January 27, 2014, Jains in many
states, including Nagaland, are still forced to identify under the “Hindu”
category or as “Others.”
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- Accordingly, he urged Nagaland government to include a
separate “JAIN” column in all government forms and portals; instruct
departments and recruitment boards to recognise Jainism explicitly; ensure a
separate listing in the 2025 Census; and update all citizen databases and
schemes to reflect Jain identity.