Latest news with #Santhara
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.
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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
3-yr-old terminally ill girl made to 'fast unto death' by parents in Indore
A three-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh's Indore, diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, was reportedly placed under 'Santhara', a Jain religious practice involving voluntary fasting unto death, NDTV reported. The child, Viyana Jain, daughter of IT professionals Piyush and Varsha Jain, was diagnosed in December 2024 and underwent treatment, including surgery, in Mumbai. According to the family, her condition worsened despite medical intervention. On March 21, 2025, during a visit to spiritual leader Rajesh Muni Maharaj in Indore, the family administered Santhara to the child. Her mother, Varsha Jain, said, 'Gurudev inspired us and explained everything. With our consent, the 'Santhara' was done, and 10 minutes later, Viyana died.' Her father, Piyush Jain said, 'We didn't go with the intent of getting her 'Santhara' done, but Guruji said her condition was serious and suggested it. Everyone in the family agreed.' The incident became public after Viyana was listed in the Golden Book of World Records as the youngest person to take the vow of Santhara. Legal and constitutional concerns Legal experts, however, raised serious concerns. Supreme Court advocate Ritesh Agarwal told NDTV, '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,' he said. In 2015, the Rajasthan High Court had declared Santhara illegal, equating it to suicide. However, the Supreme Court stayed that decision a month later. No legal precedent currently exists for administering 'Santhara' to minors. Understanding Santhara in Jainism An ancient and solemn rite in Jainism, Santhara involves the gradual renunciation of food and water as a means of embracing death with spiritual awareness and detachment. It is traditionally undertaken by terminally sick people or the elderly, and is seen within the faith as a path to liberation by acceptance and discipline at the end of life, rather than suicide.
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First Post
05-05-2025
- Health
- First Post
What is Santhara, the Jain ritual of 'fast unto death' that claimed life of 3-year-old in MP?
The death of a three-year-old girl with a brain tumour, shortly after her parents made her observe a Jain fasting ritual, in Madhya Pradesh's Indore has left many shocked. This week, the Golden Book of World Records named Vinaya the 'youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara'. Notably, Santhara is an ancient Jain practice where a person voluntarily gives up food and water, awaiting death as a means to cleanse the soul and attain spiritual liberation read more A row broke out after a three-year-old girl with a brain tumour died shortly after her parents made her observe a Jain fasting ritual in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. The girl, Viyana Jain, was their only child. Her parents said she passed away on March 21. She had been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Her parents, who work in the IT sector, followed the advice of their spiritual guide, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, before taking this step. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ | What is China's 'ghost wedding' tradition of marrying the dead? On March 21, during a visit to the monk, the child was given the Santhara vow with the agreement of her parents. Just minutes later, she died. In this explainer, we look at what the Jain ritual is, what happened to the girl, and why her death has led to a row. What is 'Santhara'? Santhara is an age-old Jain ritual in which a person chooses to give up food and water and peacefully wait for death. It is seen as a way to cleanse the soul and move towards spiritual freedom. It is also known as 'Sallekhana'. The term sallekhana is formed from sat (truth) and lekhana (to thin or wear away), and it reflects the idea of weakening the body on purpose. Jains believe that this helps remove suffering, which blocks the soul's path to liberation. This vow is considered a serious religious decision and is based on the idea of penance and letting go of worldly ties to free the soul. Both monks and laypeople may follow this practice, but it is not taken lightly. It is prominent in the Jain Canon and is strongly encouraged, Hindustan Times reported. However, not everyone is allowed to take this vow at any time. A Sundara, who heads the Department of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka, said in his research that Jain texts are clear that Santhara should only be done in certain conditions. These include old age, a serious illness with no cure, or times of extreme hardship like famine, when a person can no longer follow their religious path in regular ways. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One of the oldest Jain texts that mentions this is Ratnakaranda Shravakachara, written by Samantabhadra in the 4th century AD. It explains how the vow should be taken and under what conditions. According to the text, a person must remain calm, give up all personal belongings, and emotionally distance themselves from their loved ones. They should forgive everyone, seek forgiveness, and feel regret for any wrongs they have done. With a clear and peaceful mind, they are then expected to pray and slowly stop eating and drinking, continuing this fast until death. Is Santhara legal? The debate around Santhara intensified in legal and religious circles in 2015 after the Rajasthan High Court ruled it a punishable offence under sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 309 (attempt to suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. This decision led to strong opposition from the Jain community, who consider Santhara a sacred and age-old religious practice. Later in 2015, the Supreme Court put the Rajasthan High Court's order on hold. It took note of petitions filed by the Jain community and recognised Santhara as a separate religious practice. The row over the child's death in Indore This week, the Golden Book of World Records named Vinaya the 'youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara.' Her parents, Piyush and Varsha Jain, said they followed the advice of their spiritual guide. Both parents work in the Information Technology (IT) sector and said they chose the Santhara path for their daughter after consulting a Jain monk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Piyush Jain, the father, told PTI, 'My daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January this year. She underwent surgery, following which her health improved. But in March, her condition deteriorated and she started facing difficulty in consuming food and drinking.' The Golden Book of World Records named Vinaya the 'youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara'. Image: X On the night of March 21, he took his seriously ill daughter to visit Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj along with other family members. 'Maharaj ji saw my daughter's condition and told us that the girl's end is 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 to go for it,' he said. He said his daughter passed away within minutes of the monk completing the Santhara rituals. Her mother, Varsha Jain, said, 'I cannot describe how difficult the decision was to make my daughter take the Santhara vow. My daughter was suffering a lot due to the brain tumour. It was very painful for me to see her in this condition.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking of Viyana, she became emotional and said, 'I want my daughter to always be happy in her next birth.' Omkar Singh, a member of the Madhya Pradesh Child Rights Commission, told HT, 'This is a religious practice meant for fully conscious adults, typically the elderly.' '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 publication, 'She should have been in a hospital receiving palliative care.' With inputs from agencies
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.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
What is Santhara? Jain ritual in focus after MP girl, 3, dies during ‘death fast'
The centuries-old Jain ritual 'Santhara', which involves fasting until death, gained attention following the death of a three-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh. The child, Viyana Jain, had been suffering from a brain tumour, and her IT professional parents chose to lead her through this religious practice after consulting with their spiritual leader, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj. Viyana passed away on March 21 in Indore. This week, the Golden Book of World Records recognised Vinaya as the "youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara." The girl's parents, Piyush and Varsha Jain, confirmed they followed the advice of their spiritual leader, according to HT's previous report. Why is this making news now? The ritual raises questions about its legality and practice. Know more about Santhara, its tradition, and whether it is legally permissible. Santhara, also known as 'sallekhana or samadhi maran', is described in various Jain texts as the voluntary act of facing death through fasting. According to A Sundara, head of the Department of Archaeology and Museums in Karnataka, the underlying concept of this vow involves complete control over human passions and gradually abstaining from food and drink. The term sallekhana comes from the words "sat" (truth) and "lekhana" (emaciation), symbolising the act of voluntary physical weakening. It signifies the belief that reducing the body's strength helps eliminate the source of suffering, which is considered a barrier to the soul's liberation. This ritual is seen as a conscious religious act aimed at emancipating the soul through penance and self-mortification. This vow is a significant aspect of religious practices for both ordained individuals and laypersons. It is prominent in the Jain Canon and highly recommended. However, it is not something that can be undertaken at any time by anyone. Jain scriptures provide clear instructions, stating that sallekhana can only be practiced when a person is nearing death, suffering from old age, incurable disease, or during times of famine. For instance, if a person's deteriorating eyesight leads to repeated violations of the principle of ahimsa, they may choose to end their life through sallekhana. The Jain scriptures and inscriptions refer to this practice using various terms such as samlehana, samadhi, samadhimaran, and sanyasana, and occasionally the term pandita-marana is used to describe this form of death. The Ratnakaranda Shravakachara, a significant Jain text written around the 4th century AD by Samantabhadra, clearly explains the Santhara vow and its guidelines. According to the text, individuals who take the vow must master their emotions, renounce all possessions, and detach mentally from their loved ones. They must also seek forgiveness from others, forgive everyone, and express remorse for their wrongdoings. With a peaceful mindset, they should focus on prayers and gradually cease eating and drinking, fasting until death. The research by A Sundara also addresses opinions suggesting that the practice of Santhara is equivalent to suicide. However, this is not the case. Suicide involves the abrupt taking of one's life through forbidden means, driven by momentary anger or frustration, with no ultimate purpose. In contrast, Samadhi-marana, also known as Santhara, is a deliberate and spiritual act, performed only when nearing death. It is characterised by a calm mental state and strict adherence to religious guidelines. Unlike suicide, which is an escapist act, Santhara is a courageous, determined process aimed at achieving salvation and is a foundational practice in Jain philosophy. The controversy surrounding Santhara gained legal and religious attention in 2015 when the Rajasthan High Court ruled that the practice was punishable under sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 309 (attempted suicide) of the Indian Penal Code. The court argued that voluntarily ending one's life amounted to self-harm and could not be defended as a religious act. However, the decision sparked protests from the Jain community, and a month later, the Supreme Court put a stay on the order, allowing the practice of Santhara to continue under the protection of religious freedom.
