SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, Jan. 4: Amidst vociferous demand from the Jain community across the country for the reversal of the Jharkhand Government’s 2019 order giving tourist spot status to Sammed Shikharji, the Chairman of Jharkhand Digambar Nyas Board, Tarachand Jain, today sought the government to give holy city status to Madhuban.
Madhuban, a small town in Giridih district, is situated at the foot of the Parasnath Hills that cradle the Sammed Shikharji pilgrimage centre. 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankars (saviours and spiritual teachers) had attained Mahanirvana (salvation) on the Parasnath Hills. The word ‘Parasnath’ comes from ‘Parshvanatha’, the 23rd Jain tirthankara who attained moksha there. Besides, the hills are also considered holy by the members of the Santhal tribe, who regard it as ‘Marang Buru’ and hold an annual festival here in mid-April.
Thousands of Jains from across the world do a pilgrimage of Shikharji, starting with Palganj on Giridih road, where there is a small shrine dedicated to Parshvanatha. Then, they make some offerings to the temples of Madhuban located at the base of Parasnath hill. Pilgrims have to cover a long trek of about 27km while doing a circumambulation of Shikharji.
Jain said that the Sammed Shikharji is considered a world heritage site, in Jharkhand. “It is considered a Mecca for Jains. So, the Madhuban town should be declared a holy city on the lines of Haridwar where sale and use of meat and liquor is banned,” he added.
A Uttarakhand government order, passed in 2002, imposed prohibition within a 1.6km radius of Haridwar. Public trade in meat, fish and eggs are banned in Haridwar. In 2004, the Supreme Court upheld the Uttarakhand government’s move to make holy towns Haridwar, Rishikesh and Muni Ki Reti free from non-vegetarian food.
Jain recalled that the then Chief Minister Arjun Munda had declared sometime in 2005 or 2006 to give Deoghar and Madhuban a holy city status. But it could not be notified by his government, he added.
He said that the Holy city move will allay the fears of the community which believes that the tourist spot status order will desecrate the sacred character of the place.
“Personally, I do understand that the 2919 order is not going to hurt the sentiments of the Jain community, So, we are trying to persuade fellow Jains to understand that the Jharkhand government is committed to ensure the religious sanctity of the place. We are also trying to locate the forces who have suddenly become active to begin the agitation three years after the government decision to declare it a tourist place,” he maintained.
“I have also met the Tourism Minister as well as the Tourism Secretary and they have categorically assured me that the Parasnath hills will remain a sacred place for Jains,” he added.
The Nyas board chairman said that several leaders have emerged in the community who are misleading the Jains. “So, all that is needed is that the Chief Minister should come forward and reassure that the government was committed to maintain the sanctity of Sammed Shikharji,” he added.
Notably, as a part of the Tourism Policy launched this July, the Jharkhand government decided to promote religious tourism at Parasnath Hills.
The controversy dates back to 24 April 2015, when the then Jharkhand CM, Raghubar Das issued a ‘Parasthnath Hill Development Plan’ to develop tourism in Shikharji hills.
As per the development plan envisioned by Raghubar Das’ government, a helipad was to be constructed at the Shikharji hills, to help travellers reach the summit with little effort, given that it entailed walking about 25-30 kilometres on foot to complete the journey. The plan also included the construction of a Theme Park, Tourism Reception Centre, Car parking centre and Bus stand in Madhuban town. But the Jains protested against the move and the plan was put on the back burner.
Tarachand Jain, however, said that we have to move with the time and should not remain stuck in the past.
