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Mass rallies were held in Surat and Mumbai, while a mob was called out in Ajmer district of Rajasthan state after thousands gathered on Thursday to protest the killing of a monk in Karnataka state.
Earlier this month, Acharya Shri Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj, a Jain monk, was found murdered in Karnataka’s Pelagavi district. The butchered body parts of the monk were found from a well in the Chikodi taluk of the district. After the investigation, the police arrested two people in connection with the crime, which is believed to have arisen from a financial dispute.
Mass protests in Mumbai
In response to the brutal violence, Jain community organizations in Mumbai gathered to stage a “massive silent march” at the Gulalwadi Temple in Mumbai’s Bhuleshwar district. The rally saw active participation from Maharashtra Mangal Minister Prabhat Lodha, who joined in to show solidarity with the demands of the Jain community.
Jain religious leaders, pilgrims and community members collectively called for important changes, including the appointment of Jain members to minority committees in all states. They also demanded the creation of a Jain Welfare Council to protect the interests of the Jain religion, monks, pilgrims and the community.
According to an official statement highlighting the core objectives of the congregation, it called for the urgent need to take measures to safeguard the welfare of the Jain community and ensure their representation in governing bodies.
Lodha said the tragic killing of Kamkumarnandi Minraj Ji had caused great grief, adding that “it is imperative that the perpetrators be brought to justice. In order to eradicate destructive behavior within the society, we will seek justice.” He also expressed his determination to make every effort to ensure that justice is done.
assembly in Surat
The Sakal Jain Samaj organized a massive rally in Surat, drawing thousands of community members who donned black armbands and handed petitions to the collector to express their opposition and concerns, reports local Gujarat Samachar daily.
The gathering started at the Sargam shopping center and culminated in the collector’s office. The report said that Jain leaders, along with monks and saints of various religions, participated in the march, and they appealed to the collector to ensure the safety of the monks, saints and Acharyas in the future.
Attorney Hitch Jain, the organizer of the rally, said there was a need for a law within the proposed Unified Civil Code to protect religious figures and shrines from harassment and suggested heavier penalties for criminals involved in such incidents. He also demanded the imposition of penalties that would deter criminals from engaging in such heinous acts.
Banda in Ajmer
The Jain community held protests across Rajasthan on Thursday, expressing deep indignation over the killing of Jain monk Kamkumar Nandi in Karnataka. They demanded an urgent court to hear the case against the accused and seek the maximum possible sentence, according to local daily Amar Ujala.
The Jain Sakal Samaj called for a district-wide assembly in Ajmer, accompanied by a procession with saints addressing the crowd. They demanded a speedy court to punish the accused to prevent such misdeeds in the future. A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic at the end of the demonstrations.
In Kota, the Sakal Jain community held a silent rally at the Division Commissioner’s office, demanding execution of the murderers, CBI investigation and enhanced security for all sadhus. The police presence was increased during the rally.
Udaipur saw the market closed for half a day and a silent assembly of the compound protest the killing of a Jain monk. Many organizations supported bandwidth. Meanwhile, in Sikar, Jain institutions are closed, and a march is organized with black bands in solidarity.
Firuzabad
Sakal Digambar Jain Samaj protested the brutal killing of Acharya Kamkumar Nandi in a silent procession in Sirsaghanj town on Wednesday. They protested by tying black bands.
The procession started at a Jain temple on the main road and ended at Gandhi Mandi Ramlila Maidan, where SDM Vivek Kumar Rajput presented a memorandum to the President and Prime Minister.
Participants held placards with messages of protest during the silent march, according to local reports while many elders from the Jain community addressed the gathering, calling for immediate security measures for Jain temples and pilgrimages as well as Jain sages.
Delhi Jantar Mantar protests
A large gathering of Jain community staged a protest in Jantar Mantar on Monday, demanding a CBI investigation into the incident. Jain Monk Charukirti Swamy of Karnataka addressed the people, stating that their protest was not directed against any political party and said that they wanted all parties to cooperate to ensure justice in the case.
During the protest, BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Jain also participated and demanded a CBI investigation into the gruesome murder. He called for the need to protect monks and saints, especially in the Congress-ruled state of Karnataka.
investigations
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 8 directed police officials to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the culprits are brought to justice by the court. Although the CBI investigation was ruled out, Siddaramaiah stressed that strict action should be taken against the accused.
He said in a statement before the Legislative Council, publishing details of the incident and the investigation so far on Wednesday: “Since the case is sensitive and following public requests, the investigation of this case will be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department.”
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and a section of the Jain community had requested an investigation into the CBI.
The police have arrested two men, Narayana Basaba Madi and Hasan Dalayath, in connection with the case. The investigation indicates that money matters may have been the motive behind the killing.
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