Teen dies after 68-day Jain tradition fast
HYDERABAD: The death of a minor girl in Secunderabad last week after fasting for 68 days in line with a Jain ritual, allegedly at the behest of her parents, has raised questions whether children should be allowed to fast for religious beliefs.
The incident came to light on Friday when Andhra Pradesh Balala Hakkula Sangham (AP Child Rights Association) lodged a complaint with the Hyderabad police seeking action against the parents, who allegedly forced their daughter to fast in the name of tapasya (penance) as part of the Chaturmas ritual for the prosperity of the family.
Thirteen-year-old Aradhana, an eighth standard student of St Francis School and the only child of Lakshmi Chand Manish Samdari, a popular jewellery merchant at Pot Bazar area in Secunderabad, collapsed in the evening of October 2 — the last day of her 68-day fast. She was taken to Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Secunderabad, where she died in the early hours of October 3.
According to the complaint by the child rights’ association, Aradhana was forced to fast by her parents on the advice of their guru, as their family business was not doing well.
“As per the ritual, she was provided only with water, that too, only till 6 pm. At the end of 68th day, a pooja was held. While performing the pooja at Secunderabad Jain Mandir, the girl fainted and she was taken to the hospital, where she died in the early hours of October 3,” association president P Achyuta Rao told HT.
While the girls’ parents were not available for comment, a close acquaintance of the family, Piyush, said there was no truth in the complaint that the parents had forced Aradhana to fast because the business was not doing well.
“Theirs is a well-off family with no financial problems. In fact, both the parents and the girl were very religious and were planning to become monks. The girl offered to take up tapasya on her own,” he said.
He said the number 68 has a significance in Jain religion and one could attain self-purity by chanting a specific mantra 68 times. “Last year, Aradhana had observed fast for 34 days and this time, she wanted to fast for 68 days during the Chaturmas period. It was purely her personal decision, which was respected by her parents,” Piyush said.
Asked whether her health was monitored by doctors regularly during the fasting period, Piyush answered in the affirmative. “Since she was allowed to drink water till evening, she had no health problems. There were a large number of visitors to see her every day and she received them with smile. Even on the last day, she was healthy and only before the completion of her penance, she developed some problem and was rushed to the hospital, where she unfortunately died,” he said.
The pictures show Aradhana dressed up like a bride, but looking very weak. Several womenfolk from the Jain community are seen dancing in the colourfully decorated tent.
Achyuta Rao said surprisingly, there was no repentance in Aradhana’s family. “They feel she had made supreme sacrifice and attained salvation. Hundreds of people attended her funeral held the following day,” he said.
Jain community has the practice of santhara, wherein old people suffering from chronic diseases and nearing their death, are allowed to fast till they die. This practice was even endorsed by the Supreme Court last year. “Santhara is different from tapasya. In santhara, there is no specific time period. One can fast for one day or 10 days or even a few months till he dies. In tapasya, one has to take up fast for a specific period, up to 68. The objective is not to seek death, but the well-being of the family,” Piyush.
Achyuta Rao, however, said it was a crime on the part of the family to force a minor girl to take up fast in the name of religious ceremony. “Even if she wants to do it voluntarily, the parents should not allow this,” he said.
