Dibrugarh Jain Samaj to protest against decision on Shri Sammed Shikharji

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: The Jain Samaj, Dibrugarh will organize a protest rally in Dibrugarh against the Jharkhand government's decision to turn the sacred Shri Sammed Shikharji into a tourist place.

"We will hold the a protest rally on January 6 at 10 am from the Padmavati Bhawan premise, Jhalukpara. The protest rally will march through the main roads of Dibrugarh town and reach the office premises of the Deputy Commissioner, Dibrugarh after which a copy of memorandum will be handed over to the Deputy Commissioner," said a representative of Jain Samaj, Dibrugarh.

Addressing a press conference in Dibrugarh on Tuesday, the representatives of Jain Samaj said that being the place of salvation of 20 Tirthankaras and infinite Jain saints, sages, ascetics and mahatmas, every particle of land of Shri Sammed Shikhar ji is revered by Jain faith followers.

On August 2, 2019, the Central Government and the Government of Jharkhand issued a gazette notification declaring Shri Sammed Shikhar ji as a tourist destination instead of a pilgrimage site, leaving every Jain member in a state of shock and indignation.

The opposition to this decision has been rampant across India. Such an act is seen as a direct attack on the faith and religion of the Jains. There is no denying the fact that as soon as the hallowed pilgrimage site becomes a tourist destination, fish, meat, wine and alcoholic beverages will find place in this holy place, which is against the tenets of Jainism, said Jain followers.

"Before declaring Shri Sammed Shikhar ji as a tourist destination, the government did not held any discussion with any representative or members of any Jain organization. All the tasks were carried out in a secret manner. Every Jain member is indignant today because of this. Jains in different states of India have been holding protest meetings, protest rallies, etc. from time to time against the government's decision," stated a press release.

The north-eastern states have also opposed the action. On January 6, 2023, members of the Jain community from all big and small towns in the eastern region and members of the Jain community Dibrugarh will take out a protest march at 10 am.

At the end of the rally, a memorandum will be sent to the President, the Prime Minister, the Governor of Jharkhand, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, the Chief Minister of Assam through the Deputy Commissioner. Representatives of several social organizations will participate in the protest rally in large numbers.

As stated in the press release issued by the Jain Samaj, Dibrugarh, everyone will register their protest by tying black badges on their arms. Jain Samaj traders from Dibrugarh said that their business establishments will remain closed on that day in protest.

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