In a significant move ahead of the Jain festival Paryushan Parva, the Bombay High Court has directed civic bodies across Maharashtra to urgently consider a temporary ban on animal slaughter and the sale of meat from August 31 to September 7, 2024. The directive follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sheth Motishaw Lalbaug Jain Charities, seeking to uphold the religious sentiments of the Jain community during their most sacred festival.
Court’s Direction and Observations
A division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar heard the PIL on Thursday morning. In an interim order, the bench stated, “We have heard the learned counsels. Various representations are made to various civic bodies. We do not see any impediment in granting the prayer. And we accordingly direct the authorities to decide the representation of the petitioner seeking to impose a temporary ban on the slaughtering of animals and sale of meat during August 31 to September 7.”
The court emphasised the need for an expedited decision, noting, “We urge the civic bodies to take a decision urgently since the festival commences from August 31.”
While directing the authorities to act swiftly, the bench clarified that the order does not comment on the merits of the representations, and the civic bodies must independently assess the situation and act as per law.
Petitioner’s Plea
The petition, filed through advocates Shreyash Shah and Udayan Mukherjee on behalf of Sheth Motishaw Lalbaug Jain Charities and 30 other Jain charitable trusts, argues that the ongoing practice of animal slaughter during Paryushan Parva directly contradicts the festival’s core values of non-violence or ahimsa. The plea highlights that witnessing animal slaughter during this sacred period creates a “vitiating environment” detrimental to the spiritual practices of the Jain community.
“The Jain community constitutes a sizeable population in Maharashtra. The community is aggrieved by the conduct of the respondent authorities in not deciding the representations. The issue affects the religious sentiments of the Jain community,” the PIL states, emphasizing that the festival is a period of intense spiritual reflection, fasting, meditation, and strict adherence to non-violence.
“This ongoing practice not only contradicts the very ethos of the festival but also creates an environment of dissonance and conflict between the values of non-violence that the festival represents and the realities of animal slaughter. This situation adversely affects the sentiments of the Jain community, who find it deeply troubling to witness such practices at a time when they are striving to embody compassion and non-violence,” the plea highlights.
The petition also draws historical parallels, noting that restrictions on animal slaughter during sacred periods date back to the reign of Mughal invader Akbar and Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh, who imposed bans on slaughter for several months to promote universal tolerance in India’s diverse society.
The petitioner stresses the need for similar respect and accommodation in contemporary times, arguing that allowing animal slaughter during Paryushan Parva disrupts the community’s spiritual practices and is deeply distressing for those observing the festival.
What is Paryushan Parva?
Paryushan Parva is one of the most important religious festivals the Jain community celebrates, both by the Shwetambar and Digambar sects. It is an annual period dedicated to fasting, reflection, and spiritual rejuvenation, during which Jains deepen their commitment to the core principles of their faith, including Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy or chastity), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness). The festival typically lasts for 8 days for Shwetambar Jains and 10 days for Digambar Jains, usually occurring in August or September. Paryushan means “to stay close” or “to come together,” symbolising a time when individuals draw nearer to their souls and seek forgiveness for their sins, marking a period of spiritual upliftment, penance, and purification.
During Paryushan, Jains engage in various spiritual practices, with fasting being a prominent one. The intensity of fasting varies, ranging from complete abstinence from food and water to eating once a day. Another key practice is Pratikraman, a ritual of self-reflection and repentance where individuals review their actions and seek forgiveness. The festival culminates on the last day, known as Samvatsari, which is marked as Forgiveness Day. On this day, Jains seek forgiveness from all living beings with the phrase “Micchami Dukkadam,” meaning “May all the evil that has been done be fruitless.”
Paryushan Parva is not only a time for spiritual reflection but also emphasises a strong moral and ethical focus. Jains immerse themselves in prayer, meditation, and listening to discourses on Jain scriptures, reinforcing their commitment to charity, non-violence, and maintaining a vegetarian lifestyle. This deeply introspective and sacred period embodies the Jain philosophy of compassion, self-discipline, and inner transformation, reinforcing their spiritual values and connection to their ancient faith.
