Big win for Jain community, Centre stays all tourism activities at 'Sammed Shikharji' in Jharkhand

The centre issued a note requesting that any environmentally hazardous activities be "stayed" right away.

New Delhi, Jan 05: In big win for jain community, the central government on Thursday stayed Jharkhand government's decision to convert Jain shrine Sammed Shikharji into tourist hotspot.

The Centre also directed the state to acts strictly against banned practices such as consumption of liquor or "defiling of sites of religious and cultural significance" or damage to the ecology.

The development comes after Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav met with different representatives of the Jain community over the issue earlier in the day who assured that the government is committed to maintain the sanctity of 'Sammed Shikharji Parvat Kshetra' which is a holy place not only for the Jain community but for the entire country.

Making the announcement, Yadav said the government recognises the established fact that Sammed Shikharji Parvat Kshetra is a sacred Jain religious place not only for the Jain community but for the entire country, and the Ministry is committed to maintain its sanctity.

"Consequent to the meeting it has been decided that State Govt of Jharkhand be directed to strictly enforce the relevant provisions Management Plan of the Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary that specifically prohibit damage to flora or fauna; coming with pet animals; playing loud music or use loudspeakers; defiling sites or religious and cultural significance such as, sacred monuments, lakes, rocks, caves, and shrines; and sale of liquor, drugs, and other intoxicants etc; unauthorised camping and trekking etc on the Parasnath Hill," the ministry said in a statement.

"State Government of Jharkhand has been directed to strictly comply with these provisions. The state government has also been directed to strictly enforce the ban on the sale and consumption of liquor and non-vegetarian food items on Parasnath hill as provided in the said OM," the statement said.

Furthermore, in reference to the Eco Sensitive Zone Notification S.O.2795(E) dated 2nd August, 2019, issued to protect a buffer zone beyond the sacred Parashnath Hill; the implementation of provisions of Clause 3 of the said Eco Sensitive Zone notification is stayed forthwith, including amongst others all Tourism and Eco-Tourism activities. The State Government is directed to immediately take all steps necessary to ensure the same.

In addition, for effective monitoring of the provisions of the above Eco Sensitive Zone notification under sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Central Government has constituted a Monitoring Committee under clause 5 of the said notification. The State Government is directed to have two members from the Jain community and one member from the local Tribal community as Permanent Invitees to this Monitoring Committee, enabling appropriate involvement and oversight by important stakeholders.

Row over Sammed Shikharji

Situated on the banks of Shetrunji river around 164 feet above sea level, Shetrunjaya Hills near Palitana city are home to 865 Jain temples and is a holy place for Shwetambara Jains.

The controversy over Sammed Shikharji erupted after the Jharkhand government notified the pilgrimage site as a tourist destination.

Jains beleive that 20 out of 24 Tirthankars (Jain spiritual leaders) attained salvation at Sammed Shikharji.

Members of the community have held more than 85 rallies in different parts of the state ever since the "charan paduka" of a Jain saint was vandalised at a temple on the hills on November 26 last year, the secretary of a Jain trust in Ahmedabad said.

The community also handed over a memorandum with a list of demands related to illegal activities at the district collector's office.

The community is demanding action against illegal mining on the hills that is desecrating the sanctity of the region and has flagged the issue of illegal construction.

They also demanded hand carts and shops along the roads should also be removed and hooch dens that have cropped up in the area need to be shut.

Notably, the Vishva Hindu Parishad has issued a statement against the state government's decision and said the VHP is determined to protect the sanctity of all prilgrimage sites in India.

"The Ministry of Pilgrimage should be set up in Jharkhand soon so that the development of Siddha Kshetra Parshwanath mountain as well as all other pilgrimage sites there should be according to the faith of the followers. Necessary amendments should be made in the related notifications so that Siddha Parshwanath mountain and Tirtharaj Sammed peak can never be developed as tourist areas," the VHP said in a statement.