Jains observe bandh to protest against Jharkhand's decision on Sammed Shikharji

Kolhapur: Jain community of this district on Wednesday observed a total 'bandh', shutting down their respective businesses including shops and offices to protest against Jharkhand state government's decision of bestowing tourist destination status to 'Sammed Shikharji', which they claim will lead to it's holiness being endangered.

All businesses including shops, offices of Jain community in the district today remained shut while well-known 'Gujari Saraf market' of Jain community in the city, also observed band by closing their 'Sarafi' (gold) shops and expressed their protest against Jharkhand goverment's decision.Rajesh Rathod, president of Kolhapur District Saraf Association said in a press statement, that the announcement of the pilgrimage as a tourist destination, hurt feelings of Jain community.

"Since Sammed Shikharji is a holy place for Jain community, it's holiness is endangered, here Jain people go on total 28 Km distance while 20 'Tirthkar' out of 24, had gone for salvation path through this holy place (Sammed Shikharji), on this ground Jharkhand government should announce 'Sammed Shikharji' as a place of pilgrimage instead of giving tourist destination status to this holy place of Jain community, which the highest place of Moksha Bhumi' (salvation land) of Jain community" said Rathod.(UNI)