Bhopal: With Modi govt making fervent efforts to make India open-defecation free under its Swacch Bharat mission by 2019, Digamabara Jains seem to be in a tight spot as open defecation is a part of their lifestyle. In an attempt to save their age old tradition, a group representing Digamabara Jains in Madhya Pradesh has written a memorandum to the state govt seeking permit to allow open defecation, according to reports.
Digamabara Jains account for a small percentage of the total population. Followers of this particular sect don’t wear clothes and defecate openly. Madhya Pradesh, being a state which testifies a huge inflow of Digamabar Jains, might end up creating problem for the latter if it adopts strict measures to penalize open defecation.
“We have written a memorandum to the state government such that fellow monks and followers are allowed to defecate openly,” said a member of the group, as quoted in a report.
The BJP-led govt has planned to build toilets under the Swacch Bharat campaign (Clean India campaign) in order to obliterate open defecation completely by the year 2019. The Centre has issued strict directives to state governments to take strict measures to curb the menace of open defecation.
However, when the State Minister of Panchayat and Rural Development was enquired about the aforementioned memorandum, the ministry rubbished such claims and denied receiving any memorandum by the Jain group.
