After Aradhana's death, Jains request government not to interfere in their customs
HYDERABAD: Taking exception to the way police registered cases against the parents of 13-year-old Aradhana, who had died two days after ending her 68-day-long fast, members of the Jain community here on Wednesday passed a resolution, opposing such action from the side of cops.
Defending the fast observed by the deceased, they decided to submit a memorandum to the governments in the state and Centre, if necessary, urging the administration “not to interfere in the religious customs” of their community.
The Jain community members came to this decision as their Guru Ravindra Muniji had defended Aradhana’s fast, saying that she had observed fast as part of their religious rituals on her own.
Following the police registered cases against Aradhana’s parents, leaders of Jain community on Wednesday wrote to the Hyderabad police commissioner M Mahendar Reddy to stop investigation into the case registered by Market police. In the letter, they said that registering cases in the death incident is nothing but violation of fundamental right of practising a religion.
Citing the details of girls who successfully fasted for more than 70 days as part of their rituals in various states, the jain leaders said Aradhana was healthy even after finishing her 68 days long fast.
In the wake of police registering cases against Aradhana’s parents based on a complaint given by an NGO, Ravindra Muniji further clarified that observing Tapasya (austerity) is a fundamental right of every one in the Jain community. Fasting is common among Jains, he added.
“It is neither wrong nor illegal. Aradhana was attracted towards religious customs. She observed the fast as per our tradition,” he said.
Jain Seva Sangh secretary Vinod Kumar Kimtee said, “Jain community is a part of a democratic country like ours. We have a right to follow religious customs. People of our community can observe fast as per their health conditions.”
He alleged that a section of people and some NGOs were deliberately resorting to the act of mudslinging against their community by abusing its traditions. “We will protect our rights. Before making any allegations, people must know the rituals of the Jain community,” he added.
According to Vinod Kumar, his community members would take the issue to the notice of the state government, if needed. They would urge the government to protect their religious traditions and rights.