VIJAYAWADA: The Jain community in the city took out an ‘ahimsa rally’ on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti on Thursday. The march saw participation of over 4,000 Jains who held placards with messages on ahimsa or non-violence and environment protection.
The rally was organised by the Vijayawada Jain Samaj as part of its attempt to rededicate itself to the core values of Jainism. The procession was flagged off by Jain monks from Gandhi Municipal High School, which later passed through Kothapet, Main Bazaar street and BRP road, and ended at Jain Mandir on Poolabhavi street.Jain Samaj spokesperson Manoj Kothari said that the rally was conducted to propagate Mahavir’s philosophy of ahimsa. The principle of ahimsa in Jainism embraces not only human beings, but all animals, birds and plants.
“Today, the mankind has forgotten the values of ahimsa and that results in violence, hatred, disharmony and degradation of all natural resources,” Kothari said and stressed the need to imbibe the teachings of Lord Mahavira for a happy, peaceful and humanitarian life.