Jain monk dies during protest fast against Jharkhand govt's Sammed Shikharji tourism move: community

A Jain monk, protesting against the Jharkhand government, died on 3 January 2023 according to a community leader.

72-year-old Sugyeysagar Maharaj first participated in a peace march, and then sat on a fast at Sanghiji temple in Rajasthan's Jaipur, according to police. Cops said that he had not eaten anything since 25 December 2022.

"He passed away in the morning and the funeral was conducted at noon," SHO of Malpura Gate police station Satish Chand said.

Rajasthan Jain Sabha president Subhash Jain claimed that the monk was protesting against the Jharkhand government's decision to declare Jain pilgrimage centre Shri Sammed Shikarji as a tourist spot.

Shri Sammed Shikharji is a Jain pilgrimage centre in the Parasnath Hills of Jharkhand. The state government has decided to turn it into a tourist attraction, which irked the community. They are concerned the decision will jeopardise the sacredness of the site.

(With PTI inputs)

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