Karnataka: Jains rally against ‘Sallekhana’ verdict

BENGALURU: Expressing displeasure over Rajasthan High Court’s order on “Sallekhana” ritual, Jains from across the State staged a protest in the city on Thursday. The court had declared that the ritual was illegal.

Nearly 2,500 Jains took out a procession from Jain Basti in Chickpet to Freedom Park in protest against the court order. They said the ritual was practised by those who believed in Jainism. “Only a few monks, that too who are suffering from serious health problems, practice the ritual now. The court order has hurt our religious sentiments,” they said.

Due to the protest, the Chickpet area, where many Jains have their business establishments, wore a deserted look. Traffic on Sheshadri Road and surrounding localities was affected for some time. The Jain leaders said that they would submit a memorandum to the Governor expressing their protest against the court verdict.