entire Jain community of Jabalpur on Wednesday opposed Jharkhand Government’s proposal to declare ‘Sammed Shikhar’, a pilgrimage of Jain community, into a tourist spot. Massive protests are being staged in all parts of the nation in form of silent march and rallies.

In this series, a silent rally was also taken out from Kamaniya Gate followed by submitting a memorandum to District Collector addressed to Prime Minister and President of India. Through this memorandum, the community members have demanded to take the decision back with immediate effect.

Followers of Jain community were attired in yellow and white dresses and also kept their establishments closed to register their silent protest. The protest started from Kamaniya Gate and visited Lord Ganj Thana, Super Market, Malviya Chowk, Andherdeo and Bada Phuhara. The community members informed that owing to the declaration of Shri Parasnath Parvatraj as tourist spot, the visitors and tourists are breaking sanctity of the place.

As a result of which Jain community members are staging protest in different parts of the country. Apart from the Jabalpur city, a grand protest was also staged in other areas including Sihora-Bhitauni, Panagar, Patan and Katangi on Wednesday.

Digambar Jain Panchayat President Kailashchandra Jain informed that Jharkhand Government has secretly made this decision. Further, on the recommendation of State Government, the Union Forest Ministry issued a notification declaring Parasnath Mountain of Madhuvana, Giridih district as a part of wildlife sanctuary by making it eco-sensitive zone and giving permission of tourism and other non-religious purposes. Community members who joined this grand protest were Bharatvarshiya Digamber Jain Parishad State Secretary Manoj Seth, Anand Jain, Vijay Jain, Amit Yuva, Chakresh Nayak and others.