The whole Jain community has come on streets, the are protesting. Reason? Their pilgrimage spot is going to become a tourism spot. In the last year, when people from outside the Jain community entered this place without permission and started making vlogs, playing loud songs, and doing indecent acts, this was vandalism and disrespect. which the government could not stop. The Jain community asks, “If this is the situation now, then what will happen when?” This whole place is declared a tourist spot.
Timeline
Let’s understand the issue from the start. In Jharkhand’s Giridih district, there are Parasnath hills. This is not a common tourist space; the Jain religion’s most important pilgrimage site is here, which is called Shri Sammed Shikharji. 20 out of 24 Thirthankars have reached moksha here. the people of Jain community perform 27km long parikrama of Shikharji. history of this place goes upto 7th century BC. but let’s understand the recent history.
In 18th century, between British East India Company and the Nawad of Bengal battle of Plassey happed. The British won, and from then until now, this place has been managed by the Jain community. As time passed, a Jain trust was established. and until 1964, the whole area was a private forest. In 1972, the Government of Bihar took control of Parasnath Hils, from that time to now. This place has been the scene of various conflicts. Now, let’s come to the present time. In 2019, the Central Government Ministry of Environment established various areas as eco-sensitive zones.
What is the Eco-sensitive zone?
this is a buffer area lying between a forest and a city or a village, where there are less conflicts between humans and animals. on 28th Decemeber 2021 Jharkhand State government ministry of tourism launched its policy. which proposed this place to be developed as a tourism place.
What’s the problem?
Tourism, this word can be very controversial. because tourism can mean anything.
What types of activities will be allowed?
What types of people will be allowed entry here?
The people who come here, will they be able to respect Jain religion?
What if they start bringing alcohol here?
There are some important questions and Jharkhand government has no answers to it. people from the Jain community are demanding, that this place be declared as a holy place of worship. so that it’s sanctity is maintained Delhi, Mumbai, even outside India. The people from the Jain Community are protesting peacefully. they are fasting, so that their demands are heard by government of Jharkhand and takes their decisions back. a few days ago, a Jain monk died while he was fasting for this. still this matter’s urgency hasn’t reached the government yet. second problem is that. the government is not involving the stakeholder is their plans. this place has a religious history of many centuries, even after knowing this thought leaders have not been involved in the decision making process here. let me tell you. we have read all the documents, notifications, laws, published within past 2-3 year. but from nowhere can we understand. what exactly is the governments plan. so naturally. what changers will occur here, it is impossible to know that. third issue is also that, recently there were some vandalism cases in Gujarat. here the police concluded that, a thief had come. but he didn’t get anything valuable, so in frustration he damaged the idol. but Jain people think that for this issue, a special investigation team must come and investigate the matter. all of this takes away the confidence people have in the government. they are confused thinking, can their rights be protected here? can their voices be heard by the law makers? and that’s the core issue.
Our Opinion
“Behti Ganga me haath dho lete hain” all the parties of India have understood the protests are headed towards what? and everyone wants to keep their hands clean, wants to get away from responsibility. the truth is that, for this whole issue our draconian system is responsible. changes are needed in the system Shikharji’s spokesperson says that, despite this notification being 3 years old they came to know aboout it now. the state and Centre never consulted the Jain community. even today, India follows the same law making process, which was followed during the British era. this process was complicated purposefully, so that the common man doesn’t understand it. no objection be raised from their side and then the British will do what they want. we are celebrating 75 year of independence, then still from that process we are not free. the distance between the government and governed that needs to be reduced. we need to improve our communication. otherwise the country won’t go ahead. the government and the general public must be made sensitive to every religion. we say that, India is one country but usually apart from our religion, we don’t know much about religions. we don’t understand what are their values? and thats why such incidents. and till such issues don’t become national issues. till then they are not visible.
The frustration coming out toady, that is not just today’s frustration. it’s from many years. due to delayed judgements, conflicts of interest and general negligence. today even India’s most silent community is fight today. the Jain community have given many gems to India, they have their share in making this country. India as a country respects all the religions and we need to be proud of that, but it needs to reflect in actions as well. i am sure that the government will take action in this issue.