News: The encroachment issue of Girnar Ji Jain Tirth Kshetra was raised in Parliament.

Date: 02/12/2024

On the issue of Girnar Ji Tirth Kshetra, Imran Masood, the Member of Parliament from Saharanpur, has given a notice to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to take cognizance of this matter of public importance during Zero Hour. The notice has been accepted. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Honorable Rahul Gandhi, is in agreement with this.


"Honorable Speaker,

Today, I would like to draw the attention of this House to an extremely important and sensitive issue. This is not only related to religious faith but also concerns the protection of the cultural heritage and rights of the minority Jain community.

Honorable Speaker, the sacred Girnar Mountain, located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, is the place where Lord Neminath, the 22nd Tirthankara of Jainism, attained Nirvana. This Nirvana place of Lord Neminath has been revered by Jain followers for centuries with faith and devotion. Today, there is an illegal occupation of this place.

Historical texts such as the Akbarnama, British-era reports, ASI reports, and other documents prove that Girnar Mountain is one of the most ancient pilgrimage sites of Jainism. The Gujarat High Court has also clearly directed that Jain devotees should be allowed to peacefully worship there.

The 1991 Religious Places (Worship) Act clearly states that no changes can be made to the status of any religious place after August 15, 1947. However, in violation of the law, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a statue of another religion was quietly installed overnight. The Jain pilgrimage site in Girnar is being unnecessarily dragged into controversy.

Honorable Speaker, the Jain community, which is a peaceful and minority group in the country, is being subjected to such injustice, which raises questions about our democratic and secular systems. Such elements are being encouraged due to the inaction of the local administration and police in Junagadh.

Honorable Speaker, through this House, I demand that a "Jain Pilgrimage Protection Board" be established to ensure the sanctity and security of sacred Jain pilgrimage sites such as Girnar Ji, Shikharji, Palitana Ji, and others. The 1991 Religious Places (Worship) Act should be strictly enforced. Strict action should be taken against anti-social elements occupying religious and cultural heritage sites and the administrative officials involved.

Honorable Speaker, India is a country of unity in diversity. Every community and religion should be respected here. It is our duty to deliver justice to the Jain community, which is a symbol of non-violence and peace, and protect their faiths. This is not just a matter for the Jain community, but also for the protection of our national heritage and secularism.


Thank you.


Credit: 
Vipin Jain, Deen Nath Bazaar, Saharanpur (Author)




Source: Social Media





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