Protests by members of the Jain community have been taking place in other cities against the decision of the Hemant Soren government to make Sammed Shikharji a tourist destination.
The protesters gathered in front of India Gate in New Delhi on January 1.
The decision of the Jharkhand government and the Centre to promote tourism on the sacred Sammed Shikhar Hills in Jharkhand has sparked protests among the Jain community in India.
As part of the nationwide "Save Shikharji" campaign, there have been protests in several cities in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, including Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Sagar, Narmadapuram, and Khandwa.
In Bhopal, stores were closed until 2 p.m.
The protesters have been requesting that the decision made by the Jharkhand government be reversed.
In protest of the Rajasthan government's decision to allow tourism on the Parasnath hills, a silent march was held in Jaipur and other cities.
The Jain community is concerned that if the hills are opened to tourists, they will become a place of recreation rather than a community's holy site.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad has issued the statement against the state government's decision.
"The Ministry of Pilgrimage should be setup in Jharkhand soon. so, that the development of the Siddha Kshetra Parshwanath Mountain as well as all other pilgrimage sites there should be according to the faith of the followers. necessary amendments should be made in the related notifications so that Siddha Parshwanath mountain & Tirtharaj Sammed peak can never be developed as tourist areas," the VHP statement read.
Jains are a religious community in India and around the world that follows the teachings of the Jain tradition, which emphasizes non-violence, self-control, and respect for all living beings.
Jains follow a path of spiritual development that involves following strict ethical principles and practicing self-denial in order to achieve liberation from the cycle of reincarnation.
The Jain community is small but influential, and it has a long and rich history dating back to ancient India.
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