Latest news with #Sallekhana
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Madhya Pradesh child rights body takes cognisance of 3-year-old's death after Santhara ritual
A child rights body in Madhya Pradesh has taken cognisance of the death of a 3-year-old girl suffering from a brain tumour who was initiated into "Santhara", a fast unto death ritual of Jainism and will seek a response from the Indore district administration. The girl breathed her last on March 21 after her parents initiated her into the Jain religious practice on the advice of a spiritual leader. Talking to PTI on Monday, Omkar Singh, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Baal Adhikar Sanrakshan Ayog, said, "We have taken cognisance of the incident based on media reports. We have decided to issue a notice to the Indore district magistrate in this matter." He said the Aayog especially wanted to know how an innocent three-year-old girl could give her consent for 'Santhara'. Mr. Singh said, "We are going to issue a notice to the district magistrate, and appropriate action will be taken based on the response to the notice." Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is a Jain ritual of voluntarily fasting unto death. As per this practice, a person gradually reduces his or her intake of food and water until death as a means of achieving spiritual purification and detachment from the world. The child's parents, who are IT professionals, have said that they decided to make their only child observe this vow on the night of March 21 when she was very ill and was having difficulty eating and drinking. According to the parents, their daughter breathed her last within a few minutes of the Jain monk completing the religious rites of "Santhara". They also informed that the Golden Book of World Records has issued a certificate of world record in the daughter's name, describing her as 'the youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara'. In the religious terminology of the Jain community, Santhara is also called "Sallekhana" and "Samadhi Maran". Under this ancient practice, a person gives up food, water and worldly things to embrace death when he or she feels that the end has come. The debate over Santhara in legal and religious circles intensified in 2015 when the Rajasthan High Court declared the practice a punishable offence under sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 309 (attempt to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. However, the apex court, while hearing petitions filed by various religious bodies of the Jain community, stayed the Rajasthan High Court order.
The Independent
05-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Toddler's death in Indian religious fasting ritual sparks outrage and legal review
A child rights body in India is considering legal action after a three-year-old girl with a terminal brain tumour died during a religious fasting ritual, sparking outrage and ethical concerns. The incident took place in Indore city in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. The minor was initiated into Santhara, an ancient and controversial Jain ritual of voluntary fasting unto death, on the advice of a religious leader. The state commission for the protection of child rights said they were reviewing the death and would soon decide whether to recommend prosecution of the parents or the monk involved, the Hindustan Times reported. Although the incident took place in late March, it came to public attention only after the Golden Book of World Records, described as an 'independent world records keeping authority', issued a certificate recognising the three-year-old as the 'youngest person to vow the Jain ritual Santhara'. According to local media, the child's parents, both IT professionals in their early 30s, turned to Rajesh Muni Maharaj, a Jain religious leader, after their daughter's health took a turn for the worse. She had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent surgery in January. She reportedly improved initially, but her condition deteriorated again in March. Doctors then installed an artificial feeding tube to administer liquids to her on 21 March. That same day, the parents consulted Mr Maharaj, who advised them to opt for Santhara. 'Maharaj ji saw my daughter's condition and told us that the girl's end was near and she should be given the Santhara vow. This fast holds a lot of significance in Jainism. After thinking about it, we finally agreed,' her father told PTI news agency. 'We didn't go with the intention of getting her Santhara done, but Guruji said her condition was serious and suggested it. Everyone in the family agreed,' he told NDTV. 'We were watching her suffer. It was a very painful decision,' her mother said. 'I want my daughter to be happy in her next birth.' The ritual was reportedly done at the monk's ashram in Indore at 9.25pm the same day. The child died 40 minutes later, at 10.05pm. Santhara, also known as Sallekhana or Samadhi Maran, is a religious practice in Jainism where its adherents, generally the elderly or gravely ill, voluntarily give up food and water to embrace death through spiritual purification. Rooted in the religion's core principles of ahimsa, or non-violence, and detachment from the physical world, the practice is viewed by followers as a means to shed karmic bonds and attain liberation. Santhara has been the subject of considerable debate in India. In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court ruled the practice illegal, equating it with suicide and making it punishable under the penal code. The decision sparked widespread protests from Jains, who argued that Santhara was a voluntary religious act distinct from suicide. The Supreme Court subsequently stayed the high court's decision, effectively allowing the practice to continue pending a further legal review. The application of Santhara to minors sparks particularly complex ethical and legal concerns. Legal experts point out that minors lack the capacity to make informed decisions about life and death. Further, the Indian constitution guarantees the right to life under Article 21. While Article 25 provides for freedom of religion, the right is subject to considerations of public order, morality and health. 'The decision of life and death of a minor is not even with the parents. This raises a serious legal and constitutional question: can Santhara be administered in the case of a minor who cannot legally or emotionally comprehend death? Article 25 grants freedom of religion but not above the law. Even religious practices cannot override a minor's legal right to life,' senior lawyer Ritesh Agarwal told NDTV. In his defence, NDTV reported, Mr Maharaj claimed the deceased child 'had religious understanding equivalent to that of a 50-year-old'. He has reportedly guided over 100 people into the Santhara vow so far. 'This is a religious practice meant for fully conscious adults, typically the elderly,' Omkar Singh, a member of the state child rights commission, told the Hindustan Times. 'The toddler could not have possibly consented. We are examining whether this constitutes a violation of child protection laws and will act accordingly.' A senior doctor familiar with the case told the newspaper that the child should have been in a hospital receiving palliative care. 'The child was already in critical condition. Santhara is an enormous physical and psychological ordeal even for an adult. A toddler cannot comprehend or withstand such an act,' the doctor said. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
Mint
04-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
What is Jain ritual Santhara? 3-year-old battling brain tumour dies after IT couple makes only child 'fast unto death'
Indore: A three-year-old girl named Viyana Jain—battling a brain tumour— passed away after her parents initiated her into the Jain religious practice of fasting unto death in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. What remained, was a Golden Book of World Records. Both the child's parents, Piyush Jain (35) and Varsha Jain (32) are IT professionals, and Vinaya was their only daughter. She passed away on March 21, according to her grieving parents, who acted on the advice of a spiritual leader, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, reported PTI. The incident recently came to light after the Golden Book of World Records issued a certificate declaring the child, Viyana Jain, the "youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara." Parents display a certificate recognising their three-year-old daughter, named Viyana Jain, as a world record holder for undertaking 'Santhara', the Jain ritual of fasting unto death, issued by the Golden Book of World Records, in Indore. Viyana Jain was suffering from a terminal brain tumor Santhara—also known as Sallekhana or Samadhi Maran—is a solemn vow in Jainism, where one gradually gives up food and water to embrace death with spiritual detachment, believed to cleanse the soul of karma. Viyana was diagnosed with a brain tumour in December 2024, her parents said. After undergoing surgery in Mumbai that January, her condition initially showed signs of improvement but worsened again by March. When medical efforts failed to stabilise her, the family turned to spiritual guidance. 'Maharaj ji saw my daughter's condition and told us that the end was near, and she should be given the Santhara vow,' Piyush Jain told PTI. The ritual began at 9:25 p.m. on March 21 at the monk's ashram in Indore. Just 40 minutes later, at 10:05 p.m., Viyana passed away. In August 2015, the Rajasthan High Court ruled Santhara as illegal, calling it abetment of suicide under IPC Sections 306 and 309, and not an essential religious practice protected under Article 25 of the Constitution. The court also observed that the Right to Life under Article 21 does not include the right to die. The court directed state authorities to treat Santhara as a criminal offense and register cases accordingly. Later in 2015, however, Supreme Court stayed the Rajasthan HC's verdict, recognising Santhara as a distinct religious tradition, acknowledging petitions from the Jain community. While Vinaya's parents described Santhara as a spiritual send-off for their daughter, the decision has sparked an outcry from child rights advocates and medical professionals. 'This is a ritual intended for fully aware adults, usually the elderly,' Omkar Singh of the Madhya Pradesh Child Rights Commission told Hindustan Times. 'A toddler can't possibly give consent. We're investigating whether this violates child protection laws and will take appropriate action," Singh further added, HT reported. First Published: 4 May 2025, 05:16 PM IST
Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Indian Express
3-year-old terminally ill girl dies after fasting ritual in Indore, police ‘looking into the matter'
A three-year-old terminally ill girl in Indore died while undergoing a Jain ritual of voluntary fast unto death, called Santhara. The child died on March 21, around 40 minutes after the ritual was completed, but the incident has only recently become widely known. Indore police said they had not been aware of the matter. 'We have no record of this. No one informed the local police station or administration. We are looking into the matter, ' said a senior police officer. Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is traditionally undertaken by devout Jains at the end of their life as an act of spiritual purification. In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court had declared Santhara illegal, calling it a form of suicide. However, the ruling triggered widespread protests by Jain groups, and a month later, the Supreme Court put a stay on the decision. The child's parents, Varsha and Piyush Jain, both IT professionals, took the decision for their daughter to undertake the ritual following advice from a Jain monk. The couple said they consulted only close family members before taking the decision. 'She was our only child,' Piyush said. 'She came into this world for only three years, four months, and one day. When her brain tumour relapsed after surgery, and her health deteriorated rapidly, we decided to turn to our faith.' The family said they brought Viyana to their spiritual guide on March 21. According to them, the monk assessed her condition and predicted she wouldn't survive the night. After consulting relatives and obtaining their approval, the parents said they proceeded with the ritual, which was carried out with full religious rites and lasted about 30 minutes. Ten minutes later, Viyana died, they said. 'She was a happy, energetic child,' said her father. 'We raised her with Jain values from the start — visiting the cow shelter, feeding birds, praying, and observing religious rituals.' Following the ceremony, the parents also claimed that it was recognised by the Golden Book of World Records as the youngest recorded case of Santhara globally.
NDTV
04-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
All About Santhara, Jain Ritual Of Voluntary Fasting To Death
A three-year-old girl suffering from a terminal illness died after being administered Santhara – a Jain ritual of voluntary fasting unto death – by a spiritual leader in Indore. Viyana Jain, daughter of IT professionals Piyush and Varsha Jain, was diagnosed with brain tumour last December. After surgery and treatment failed, the family turned to spiritual guidance. On March 21, during a visit to Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, the child was given the Santhara vow with her parents' consent. Minutes later, she died. What Is Santhara? Santhara, also known as Sallekhana, is a Jain religious practice in which an individual voluntarily chooses to end their life through fasting, according to A Sundara, head of the Department of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka. The practice involves gradually abstaining from food and water, and is undertaken by Jains as a way to purify the soul and attain liberation. The vow cannot be taken at will. According to A Sundara's research, Jain scriptures clearly say that Santhara should only be observed when death is near, or when a person is unable to follow religious duties due to old age, incurable illness, or extreme conditions like famine. For example, if someone's worsening eyesight leads them to unknowingly harm living beings – violating the principle of ahimsa – they may choose Santhara. The Practice Of Santhara An important Jain text from around the 4th century AD, Ratnakaranda Shravakachara by Samantabhadra, gives a clear explanation of the Santhara vow and how it should be followed. The text says that this vow should be taken to free the soul from the body, but only during extreme situations – like a natural disaster, old age, or an illness that cannot be cured. Anyone taking the vow must control their emotions, give up all their possessions, and mentally detach from loved ones. They should forgive everyone, ask for forgiveness, and feel sorry for their wrongdoings. Then, with a peaceful mind, they should focus on prayers and slowly stop eating and drinking and fast until death. Is Santhara Legal? While Santhara is an accepted and revered practice in Jainism, it has faced legal challenges in India. In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court ruled that Santhara should be considered illegal, equating it to suicide under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court's reasoning was that the voluntary decision to end one's life was a form of self-harm and could not be justified as a religious practice. The ruling, however, was met with protests from the Jain community. A month later, the Supreme Court stayed the order, allowing Santhara to continue under religious freedom protections.
