The Jain community in the twin cities shut down their respective business establishments and took out a ‘peace rally’ in protest against the Rajasthan High Court verdict on ‘Santhara’ – the Jain ritual of fast unto death, terming it as “suicide”.
Carrying placards, which read: “This is a fight for justice, It is question of Jain’s respect, ‘Santhara’ is not a suicide, it is a way to get Moksh,” the community people participated in the nearly 5 km rally, from Jain Bhavan in Pan Bazar through Mahankali, Minerva Hotel, Parklane, Paradise, Prederghast Road, Sindhi Colony and Minister Road. The ‘Ahimsa’ peace rally was organised as part of the countrywide call for a stir given by the community. Jain ‘munis’ who addressed the gathering, said ‘Santhara’ was not suicide but a way to salvation. “We are not against courts but we are certainly against the judgment. We have every right to oppose it,” they said. The Rajasthan High Court was urged to reconsider its decision. They claimed that ‘Santhara’ was a “2,500-year-old ritual” since Bhagwan Mahaveer.
