Jain community all over the world is expressing their concerns for the safety of Jain pilgrims and illegal encroachment at Jain pilgrimage places like Girnar in Junagadh, Gujarat. Vishwa Jain Sangathan is leading the Teerth Bachao Dharm Bachao movement as nation wide protest from Ramleela ground in Delhi. Vishwa Jain Sangathan Canada organized rallies on December 16th at Brampton City Hall and December 17th at Sri Jain Mandir Toronto to support the movement. Vishwa Jain Sangathan Canada submitted a request letter to Shree Sidharth Nath, Consulate General of India in Toronto demanding to implement orders of Gujarat High court to provide safety and security to Jain pilgrims at Girnar hill. CGI agreed to forward the request to Home Ministry in Bharat.
As per the request in the letter Shri Girnar ji in Junagadh, Gujarat, is one of the most holy pilgrimage place of minority Jain community. 22nd tirthankar Neminath swami attained salvation (nirvana or moksha) at the 5th peak on the hill. As per Jain scriptures, it is also called as Urjayant peak. Since 2004, there has been increasingly illegal construction and encroachment at this site. Jain pilgrims and monks are fearful while visiting this place and praying as per Jain rituals. There have been increasingly attacks happening on Jain pilgrims at this site. On 17th February 2005, Gujarat High Court ordered Gujarat administration to provide safety and security to Jain pilgrims so that they can do their worship as per Jain rituals. These orders have not been yet implemented despite numerous follow ups. We request Government of Bharat to implement these orders with immediate effect. Additionally there is illegal encroachment at Jain pilgrimage sites such as Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves in Odisha, Mandargiri hill in Bihar, and Anjaneri caves in Maharashtra, which must be stopped and removed with immediate effect. Letter is co-signed by 5 other organizations including Hindu Canadian Foundation. Request letter is available here – https://bit.ly/JainLetterCGIToronto
Contact: JaiJinendra.canada@gmail.com
Website: https://www.vishwajain.org/