#SaveShikharji: Jain community protests against Jharkhand govt’s decision on turning Shri Sammed Shikharji Tirth as tourist spot

Ranchi, Dec 21: In a huge disappointment, the Jharkhand government has turned the Shri Sammed Shikharji, located in the Giridih district of Jharkhand and one of the prominent Jain pilgrimage centres in the country, into an eco-tourism spot.

  

 

Against the backdrop of this development, people of the Jain community all over the country are protesting against the Hemant Soren government’s move. In the last week, protests were staged across a dozen of cities, and several Jain monks have demanded the government roll back its decision.

 

 

The Jharkhand government decided to promote religious tourism at Parasnath Hills, the region that nestles the revered Jain pilgrimage centre from where 20 of the total 24 Tirthankars attained salvation after the Tourism Policy launched this July.

 

Every year, lakhs of Jains from across the world. undertake the 27 km long trek of climbing the hills to reach the summit that houses the salvation shrines of 20 Tirthankaras. Besides, the hills are also considered holy by the members of the Santhal tribe, who regard it as ‘Marang Buru’ and hold an annual festival here in mid-April.

 

 

Getting upset over "tourist place" tag, thousands of Jains, across the country, are observing a one-day bandh on 21st December to protest against the Jharkhand government’s decision.

 

 

 

The matter has also been raised in the parliament by various members and on Tuesday, the union tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy made a statement in the parliament saying that his ministry was not a part of any such decision, but was in talks with the Jharkhand government over the issue.