- Sugyeysagar Maharaj, 72, was on the fast at Sanghiji temple against the Jharkhand government’s decision to declare Shri Sammed Shikharji as a tourist place
NE NEWS SERVICE
JAIPUR, JAN 4
A 72-year-old Jain monk who was on a fast against the Jharkhand government’s decision to declare Shri Sammed Shikharji as a tourist place died Tuesday in Jaipur, according to a community leader.
I request my friend of many years Sh Hemant Soren, CM of #Jharkhand, to look into Jain community's demand & arrive at amicable solution with regard to Shri Sammed Shikarji as it is one of the foremost Jain pilgrimage centres in #India & very sacred place for them. @HemantSorenJMM pic.twitter.com/t6kYwB1uhs
— Parimal Nathwani (@mpparimal) January 4, 2023
Police said after participating in a peace march in Jaipur against the decision, Sugyeysagar Maharaj sat on the fast at Sanghiji temple in Sanganer area of the city.
The priest was a native of a village in Banswara district of Rajasthan.
“He was on a ‘vrat’ and had not eaten anything since December 25. He passed away in the morning and the funeral was conducted at noon,” SHO of Malpura Gate police station Satish Chand said.
Rajasthan Jain Sabha president Subhash Jain said Maharaj died while fasting in protest against the Jharkhand government’s decision.
Shri Sammed Shikharji is a Jain pilgrimage centre in the Parasnath Hills of Jharkhand.
The state government has decided to turn it into a tourist attraction, which irked the community. They are concerned the decision will jeopardise the sacredness of the site.
