NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Rajasthan High Court order terming illegal the religious practice of ‘Santhara’, a ritual of fasting until death prevalent among Jains.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India(CJI) H L Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy stayed the HC order and issued notices to the Centre, Rajasthan and others.
The court has asked the Central government, as well as the Rajasthan government to explain why they oppose the practice, and has given them four weeks to state their respective stands.
The Bench was hearing a batch of petitions filed by various religious bodies of Jain community members against the High Court order of August 10 on ‘Santhara’.Senior advocate Harish Salve appeared for the petitioners.
The pleas had sought a stay on the High Court judgment, claiming it was passed without appreciating the basic philosophy and tenets of the Jain religion.The High Court order holding that ‘Santhara’ violated Article 21 of the Constitution guaranteeing protection of life and personal liberty had come on a public interest litigation filed by Nikhil Soni.
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