Jains take out silent march against Rajasthan HC ruling on 'Santhara'

Jaipur: Thousands of Jain community members on Monday took out a 'silent march' protesting the Rajasthan High Court judgement banning the practise of "Santhara", a Jain religious ritual of voluntary fast unto death.

The protest march began from Ramlila Ground-New Gate and culminated at Mahaveer school in form of a gathering where the religious leaders expressed their displeasure over the high court ruling.

"Our peaceful protest is against the judgement pronounced by the high court," Convener of the Joint Action Committee of Digambar and Shwetambar Jains Rajendra Godha said.

Members of both Shwetambar and Digambar sects participated in the march which passed through Jauhri Bazar, Tripolia Bazar, Chauda Rasta, MI Road and C-scheme. Schools, educational institutes and business establishments owned by the community people were also closed as part of the protest.

Godha claimed that around one lakh people participated in the protest march, which received support from several other organisations as well.

The Rajasthan High Court had on August 10 held Jainism religious ritual of 'Santhara' as illegal making it punishable under sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 309 (attempted suicide) of the IPC.

"Santhara or fast unto death is not an essential tenet of Jainism," the HC said, adding it cannot be termed as "humane" and it's violative of basic human right. A Public Interest Litigation challenging the legality of 'Santhara' was filed in the high court in 2006.