Jains' massive protest at India Gate against decision on Sameed Shikharji | Top points

Jain community members have been holding protests in other cities against the Hemant Soren government's decision to declare Sammed Shikharji as a tourist spot. On January 1, the protesters gathered in front of India Gate, New Delhi.

The members of the Jain community held a countrywide massive protest on Sunday against the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government's decision of declaring Sammed Shikharji as a tourist place. Sammed Shikharji, located at Parasnath Hills in Jharkhand is a sacred pilgrimage site for the Jains. Delhi's India Gate, which draws tourists on January 1, saw a massive protest of the Jain community on Sunday.

Here is all you need to know about the protest:

Massive protest at New Delhi's India Gate by the Jain community against Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren's decision to announce Sammed Shikharji as a tourist place.

1. The controversy over Sammed Shikharji has been building up for weeks after the Jharkhand government notified the pilgrimage site as a tourist destination.

2. Jain society in Madhya Pradesh took to the streets earlier protesting the decision. Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath wrote to PM Modi and Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren urging him to reconsider the decision.

3. It is believed that 20 out of 24 Tirthankars (Jain spiritual leaders) attained salvation at Sammed Shikharji.

4. The Vishva Hindu Parishad has issued a statement against the state government's decision and said the VHP is determined to protect the sanctity of all pilgrimage sites in India.

5. The area should be declared a holy area and there should not be any tourist activity involving meat and drugs, the VHP said in its statement.

7. On December 16, 2022, a Jain temple in Gujarat was reportedly vandalised. Sunday's nationwide protest was against that vandalism as well. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi extended support to the protest and said the Jharkhand government must rescind the decision.