Sammed Shikharji Protests: Jain priest protesting against Jharkhand Govt’s decision dies
Jain monk Sugyeyasagar Maharaj passed away in Jaipur this morning amid a widespread protest over the decision to make Jharkhand's Sammed peak a tourist destination. He was on a hunger strike against the Jharkhand Government’s decision.
As per news agency ANI, the Jain monk was on a hunger strike since December 25, 2022.
Sanganer, Rajasthan | Jain monk Sugya Sagar Maharaj died today morning after fasting since 25th December 2022 against the decision of the Jharkhand government to declare 'Shri Sammed Shikharji' a tourist place.
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) January 3, 2023
Jain community is anguished over the inclusion of Sammed Shikhar Ji, a holy Jain pilgrimage, in the list of tourist places in Jharkhand. The community is protesting across the country demanding a rollback on the state government’s decision.
Earlier in the day, a massive rally was taken out in Ranchi to protest against the 'tourist destination' tag for the holy pilgrimage.
On January 1, several members of the Jain community protested Delhi against the Jharkhand government's decision of declaring 'sacred' Shri Sammed Shikharji a tourist place.
Shri Sammed Shikharji, located on the Parasnath hills in Giridih district of Jharkhand, is the biggest pilgrimage of the Jain community. The community members are protesting against the state government's move to promote religious tourism in Parasnath Hills.
First published: 3 January 2023, 19:47 IST