Jain community protests decision to turn religious place into tourist spot

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Dec. 21 (EMN): Jain community in Dimapur on Wednesday organised a rally to protest against the Jharkhand government’s decision to turn Shri Sammed Shikhar Ji into a tourist sport.

The protestors submitted memorandums to the President and Prime Minister of India through the deputy commissioner of Dimapur. Two separate memorandums submitted by Shree Jain Swetamber Terapanthi Sabha, Dimapur, and Shree Digamber Jain Samaj, Dimapur, have sought the intervention of the President and Prime Minister of India for withdrawal of notification issued on August 2, 2019, to declare “PARASNATH Wildlife Sanctuary,” an eco-sensitive zone, and to permit tourism and various non-religious activities at the ancient Jain Sanctum Sanctorum Shri Sammed Shikhar Ji “Parasnath Hill” at Madhuban in Jharkhand.

It stated that the entire Shri Sammed Shikher ji Hill is the holiest and the greatest Tirth of Jain community all over the world. It stated that to permit tourists and eco-tourism and other non-religious activities is “stigma” on the holiest religious place of Jainism and the entire Jain community as the sanctity and security of the entire holy hill would be destroyed, which is not acceptable to the millions of minority Jain community at any point of time in any manner.

It stated that Jain community from across the world visit the sacred hill for Vandana of 27 kilometer on foot besides 54 kilometer Parikrama surrounding the hill, which is believed to have a big Swastik below the entire sacred hill.

“Notification dated August 2, 2019, affects the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Sammed Shikhar ji, which is an ancient religious pilgrimage for entire Jain community. The concerned ministry is also being requested not to take any further steps in implementing the Supra referred notification,” the memorandum stated.

It mentioned that millions of Jain community practice non-violence in their day-to-day life even in their thoughts. However, it stated that they have all come to the streets to protest against the destructive forces, which aims to eliminate Jainism’s most sacred heritage.