Amidst the countrywide peaceful protests by the Jain community, National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has taken cognisance against the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Government’s decision to turn Shri Sammed Shikharji Teerth into a tourism hub. Shri Sammed Shikharji Teerth is considered one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for the Jain community.
NCM said that it would hold a hearing on January 17 to resolve the issue. The commission has also summoned the Union Environment Secretary and Jharkhand chief secretary.
Jain community and their monks believe that the decision would have a negative impact on the spiritual significance of the region and make way for the commercialisation of a pilgrimage centre. This is the place from where 20 out of the total 24 Tirthankaras attained salvation.
NCM had received requests from various representatives of the Jain community regarding the decision to convert their pilgrimage site into an eco-tourism place.
“This decision has hurt the religious sentiments of the Jain community. Encroachment and other issues at Shri Sammed Shikharji are also brought up in the community’s submissions. Jains from all over the country have asked the commission to designate Shri Sammed Shikharji as a sacred site. The Govt of Jharkhand has previously been asked by the National Commission for Minorities to take the request of the Jain community into consideration,” the NCM statement read.
As a part of the Jharkhand Tourism Policy launched in July 2022, the Hemant Soren Govt decided to promote religious tourism at Parasnath Peak. Every year, Jains from across the world come to the State to undertake the 27 km long trek to reach the summit that houses the salvation shrines of 20 Tirthankaras.
Not only this, the place is considered holy by the members of the Santhal community, who regard it as ‘Marang Buru’ and hold an annual festival in April here.
On December 21, 2022, members of the community called for a one-day bandh as a mark of protest. On January 1, 2023, members of the Jain community staged a protest in Delhi and other parts of the country.
On January 3, Jain Muni Sugyesagar Maharaj breathed his last after fasting for 10 days against the Soren Government’s decision on the Shri Sammed Shikharji pilgrim centre in Jaipur.
Last month, some mischievous elements broke the steps of the first Jain Tirthankar temple in Palitana, Gujarat, one of the holy sites for the Jain community. Also, there is a sale of illegal wine and alcohol and regular mining going on near the temple. Shri Mumbai Jain, Sangh Sangathan members, have complained about this many times, but it keeps happening again and again. Hence, the community wants the government to take up the issue and do something about it.
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