Assam's CM Pledges to Safeguard Jain Monks' Procession Amid Protests
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Synopsis
Guwahati, Feb 1 (NationPress) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted on Friday that any efforts to obstruct the community's sacred practices will be met with resolve amid protests against a Jain monks' religious parade in Jorhat.
Key Takeaways
- Firm stance by CM on protecting religious practices.
- Protests erupt in Jorhat against Jain monks' procession.
- Two monks traveled from Dimapur to Jorhat.
- Government emphasizes religious tolerance.
- Detentions occurred during protests.
Guwahati, Feb 1 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, stated on Friday that any efforts to obstruct the community's sacred traditions will be addressed with firmness amidst protests against a religious procession in Jorhat led by Jain monks.
Sarma's comments came during protests in Jorhat town following the Jain community's ritual procession on Wednesday.
Residents of upper Assam’s Jorhat voiced strong opposition to the procession led by two Jain monks, who were following their religious practice of wearing minimal clothing, as they made their way through the main streets of the district.
The two Jain monks journeyed to the Marwari Thakurbari campus in Jorhat on Wednesday, participating in a ceremonial procession that began in Dimapur, Nagaland.
“The Jain faith, represented by our esteemed Param Pujaniya Munis, signifies ahimsa, self-sacrifice, and selfless service. Any efforts to disrupt their sacred rituals will face strong and decisive measures,” the Chief Minister stated in a message on X.
Assam is committed to maintaining religious tolerance and will persist in promoting the values of compassion and humanity with unwavering resolve, he further remarked.
In response, a faction of protesters from various organizations marched to the district commissioner’s office on Thursday, chanting slogans against the procession.
Near the DC office, eight individuals, including Hemen Bora, president of the Jorhat Bar Association, and several members of the Bir Lachit Sena, a socio-cultural group, were detained but released on Friday evening.
Ranju Paniphukan, the State General Secretary of Bir Lachit Sena, stated, “The presence of such naked monks will undoubtedly create social and cultural disturbances. Thus, we will never accept such actions and will prevent individuals from parading in public under the guise of religious practice.”
Representatives from several organizations, along with Bir Lachit Sena, submitted requests demanding the district commissioner's intervention regarding the activities of the two nude Jain monks.
