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Sanatan Dharma and Jainism are pillars of Indian spirituality: Governor Gehlot
Belagavi: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Sunday described Sanatan Dharma and Jainism as foundational pillars of Indian spirituality that teach self-purification, the path of truth and non-violence.
He addressed the Bhattarak Sammelan and Jain Community Conference organised by the 1008 Bhattarak Shri Adinath Digambar Jain Samaj Trust at Ainapur in Athani taluk, where he attended as the chief guest.
"Such conferences offer an opportunity to reconnect with moral values and religious traditions in today's fast-paced life," the governor said. He urged the Jain community to take collective steps to provide religious education to the younger generation, preserve pilgrimage sites and hold regular spiritual gatherings.
Recalling the timeless message of Lord Mahavira — Ahimsa Parmo Dharma and Live and Let Live — governor Gehlot said, "In an era of increasing unrest, these values are more relevant than ever." He also lauded the Jain community's contributions to social welfare through initiatives such as feeding the poor, running gaushalas (cow shelters), supporting the elderly, and establishing educational and healthcare institutions.
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Jain seer warns of Sallekhan if demands are ignored
The event also saw a strong message from Jain seer Gunadharnandi Munimaharaj, who warned the state govt that he would be compelled to undertake Sallekhan (a Jain ritual of voluntary fasting unto death) if key demands of the Jain community are not addressed within the next 12 months. The seer criticised the Siddaramaiah-led govt for neglecting the community in welfare schemes and urged the creation of a separate development corporation for Jains.
He also demanded the announcement of a dedicated pilgrimage scheme for Jain women to visit Sammed Shikharji in Jharkhand.
"If the govt continues to ignore us, I am prepared to go to any extent—even sacrificing my life—for the rights of the community," he declared, also calling for the immediate restoration of scholarships for underprivileged Jain students. Gunadharnandi Munimaharaj further objected to the recent caste census figures, stating that the Jain population is grossly underreported.
"According to us, the Jain population in Karnataka exceeds 20 lakh, but the survey shows only 1.66 lakh.
This is unacceptable and must be rectified," he said.
He also criticised the state's decision to slash the annual development fund for the Jain community from Rs 50 crore to Rs 25 crore, calling it unjust and regressive. MLAs Laxman Savadi, Ganesh Hukkeri, Raju Kage and Abhay Patil, Maharashtra MLA Rajendra Yadraonkar; former MLAs Sanjay Patil, Shrimant Patil, and Veerkumar Patil, Jain community president Sunil Patil and Arihant Udyog Samuh president Uttam Patil were present.
