The Jain community is appalled by the move to take over their pilgrimages for commercial exploitation

An avoidable controversy has erupted over the commercialisation of a Jain pilgrimage site in Jharkhand. The appalled community is protesting against the move centred around Sammed Shikharji. They are also concerned about such moves being on the anvil in Gujarat. The protesters want the notification issued by the Centre for acquiring the sacred mountain of Sammed Shikharji taken back. The move was initiated by the previous Raghubar Das-led BJP Government. It is not just Sammed Shikharji but several other sites could be open for commercialisation to fill the State coffers like Sammed Shikharji, Palitana's Shatrunjaya hills and Mount Girnar (in Gujarat). The previous BJP Government of Jharkhand and the Modi Government jointly declared Giridih, the "Nirvana Bhoomi" (salvation site) of 20 Jain Tirthankaras and the most important pilgrimage centers of Jainism — Sammed Shikharji and 'Parasnath hill' — as eco-sensitive zone. The Jain community feels that the move is a "malicious attempt to pollute the sanctity of two pilgrimage sites"; a concerted effort to strip the community from its hold over the sites. The apprehensions are not ill-founded, though. In the Palitana's Shatrunjaya hills near Bhavnagar, RSS-VHP members have been persistently demanding a change of management of 900-year-old 865 Jain temples and pilgrimage centres. This site is considered the most sacred pilgrimage center of the Shvetambara Jain community, and any attempt to disrupt their prayers in any way is bound to recoil.

The mining mafia is also eyeing these sites. Incidents of vandalisation and threatening the clerics have also come to light. This is happening under the patronage of the BJP leaders who are supporting illegal mining in the Shatrunjaya hills. Recently, some anti-social elements also vandalised the ancient Charan Paduka in the ancient 3 Gauki holy pilgrimage route in Rohishala, Shatrunjay. This has indeed hurt the Jain community which is now on the streets. The Constitution guarantees religious rights to minorities and therefore it is the utmost duty of the government to restore their faith and protect them from any threat to their way of life. The government would do well to assuage the fears and apprehensions of the Jain community sooner than later before the issue becomes a full-blown crisis. The start could be made by withdrawing the notification declaring Parasnath Hills and holy Shikharji as eco-sensitive zone and converting it into a tourist destinations to restore their faith in the Government.