Woman observing 'Santhara' passes away

Jaipur, Sep 28 (UNI) Vimla Devi, who was observing the Jain religious ritual 'Santhara' for the past 13 days for attaining salvation, passed away here today.

The Jains believe that 'Santhara'is a ritual observed by the Shwetambar Jain Sect when they willingly abstain from food and water to embrace death in the belief that it will help them attain salvation.

Vimla Devi (63), a resident of Jagatpura colony, had given up food and water from September 15, after being diagnosed with cancer.

Instead of taking medicines, she decided to observe 'Santhara'. Her death took place even as a petition against the practice was being considered by the High Court.

Those who observe 'Santhara', are revered and looked up by Shwetamber Jain followers. Muni Maitriji Maharaj of Terapath Dharam Sangh in Bikaner had observed 35 days 'Santhara' before passin away.

The Rajasthan High Court had issued showcause notices to the state government and Jain institutions against 'Santhara'.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S N Jha and Justice A K Rastogi issued notices to Central and state governments' Home Secretaries, and the Jain institutions on September 22, after hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by petitioner Nikhil Soni.

In his petition, Advocate Madhav Mishra had pleaded ''Santhara is a social evil and it should be considered a crime akin to suicide under the Indian Penal Code's Section 309.'' ''The Sati Prevention Act's aim is to stop these kinds of deaths. So the practice of 'Santhara', which is to give up food and water for days so that death comes easily, should be declared illegal,'' Mr Mishra had said.

Citing the example of Vimla Devi, the petitioner appealed to the court to ban this practice, saying that since 'Sati' and 'Santhara' have many similarities, it should be declared illegal.

The court had also asked the petitioner to take necessary action in this regard with the help of superintendent of police, Jaipur.

The court has fixed October 5 as the next date of hearing.

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