Jain monk seeks eight months to walk to Gujarat court

A Jain monk ordered to appear in court in Ahmedabad has said he needs eight months to get there because his strict faith prevents him from using any form of transport.

A Jain monk ordered to appear in court in Ahmedabad has said he needs eight months to get there because his strict faith prevents him from using any form of transport.

Members of Shwetambar Jain community take out a procession in Indore on Wednesday. Jains live an itinerant life, meaning Maharaj has no fixed address although he regularly visits Ahmedabad, home to many Jain holy sites.(Arun Mondhe/HT Photo)

Acharya Kirti Yashurishwarji Maharaj is currently in Kolkata, about 2,200 kilometres (1,400 miles) from Ahmedabad -- a journey the 60-year-old says he will only undertake on foot.

But a court rejected his request for the lengthy journey and told him to appear in court next month.

Maharaj faces charges of promoting Bal Diksha -- the recruitment of children into the Jain monastic order -- by publishing forged government documents endorsing the practice.

The charge was filed by Jashmin Shah, a local Jain community leader who has fought a campaign against Bal Diksha.

Shah’s lawyer Nitin Gandhi told AFP the court had ruled out an eight-month delay.

“The court has issued a fresh bailable warrant against the monk and directed him to appear before court by November 4,” Gandhi said on Wednesday.

Jains live an itinerant life, meaning Maharaj has no fixed address although he regularly visits Ahmedabad, home to many Jain holy sites.