Jharkhand HC Alerts Authorities on Liquor and Meat Sales near Jain Sacred Site Parasnath
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Synopsis
The Jharkhand High Court has issued notices to Central and State Governments to maintain religious practices at Parasnath Hill, a major Jain pilgrimage site, in response to a petition highlighting concerns over liquor and meat sales that contradict Jain beliefs.
Key Takeaways
- Jharkhand HC issues notices to Central and State Governments.
- Concerns raised about liquor and meat sales near Parasnath Hill.
- Next hearing scheduled for February 19.
- Petitioners argue for preservation of Jain religious values.
- Emphasis on respecting all religious sentiments.
Ranchi, Jan 24 (NationPress) The Jharkhand High Court has sent notices to the Central and State Governments in light of a petition that demands the preservation of religious arrangements at Parasnath Hill, a significant pilgrimage location for the Jain community.
The petition was lodged by a Jain organization highlighting activities at the site that conflict with Jain religious values.
The court has instructed both governments to submit their responses addressing the concerns raised in the petition. The subsequent hearing is set for February 19.
Located in the Giridih district of Jharkhand, Parasnath Hill is a vital religious site for Jains, not just in India but worldwide. The petitioners contend that the ongoing sale of liquor and meat nearby is contrary to the religious beliefs and sentiments of the Jain community.
The petition also raises alarms about encroachment within the pilgrimage area, which the state government has allegedly failed to manage effectively.
During the proceedings, the court emphasized the necessity of honoring the religious sentiments of all communities.
The Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan was reminded that actions that offend the religious feelings of any community are serious matters. The court stressed the importance of preserving religious sites for the benefit of their devotees.
Representing the petitioners, Senior Advocate Darius Khambata, along with advocates Indrajit Sinha, Khushboo Kataruka, and Shubham Kataruka, argued that the current strategy of the state government is diminishing the religious sanctity of Parasnath Hill by promoting it as a tourist hotspot.
They noted that the sale of liquor and meat at the site is profoundly insulting to the religious values held by the Jain community.
To bolster their argument, the petitioners referenced a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change of the Central Government on January 5, 2023.
