The Jain community is in shock and anger after reports surfaced about the vandalism of Jain idols at the historic Pavagadh hill. The hill, known for its diverse religious heritage, is home to both the revered Shaktipeeth Mahakali Mandir and eleven Jain temples.
The idols of Jain Tirthankaras, some of which are over 400 years old, were placed along the stairs leading to the Mahakali Mandir. These idols have been worshipped by Jains for centuries, symbolizing peaceful coexistence between the two religious communities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi once praised Pavagadh as a perfect example of India’s diversity, highlighting the presence of both the Mahakali Mandir and Jain temples.
Recently, news broke that temple authorities had ordered the removal and alleged vandalism of these Jain idols. This sparked outrage within the Jain community. A viral post titled "All Eyes on Pavagadh Attack" has intensified the situation.
Maharaj Saheb, a respected Jain leader, expressed his dismay, saying, “The idols on both sides of the stairs did not bother anyone. We are shocked as to why the idols were vandalized. We have been requesting to safeguard the idols, but there has been no clear response for so long. Now they have broken and thrown the idols like garbage! This is a clear conspiracy against us. We demand that the idols be reinstated and that we be given the right to care for them.”
Ashokbhai, a trustee of the Mahakali temple, clarified that the vandalism was not intentional. He stated, "The idols were placed in the old temple. People were informed about the removal even before the work started 20 days ago. It was informed long ago that if anyone wants to keep the idols, then they should take them away."
He further explained, "Despite requests to the concerned people, they did not come forward to take them away. Only one idol was broken, and that too was not intentional. The stone was weak, and the idol was already damaged. None of these idols were being worshipped. If this idol needs to be reinstalled, we are ready to provide it."
Leaders of the Vadodara Samast Jain Sangh and many Maharaj Sahebs reached the residence of the Vadodara Collector to submit a memorandum. They demanded the restoration of the statues and strict action against those responsible. Similar actions took place in Surat and other cities, with peaceful protests demanding justice.
Gujarat Minister Harsh Sanghvi commented, “Pavagadh is a historic land. These statues have been there for thousands of years. No trust, organization, or individual has the right to demolish such historic statues and religious places. The Gujarat CM has ensured that the sentiments of Jains must not be hurt. These statues must be re-established at their original positions. In some hours, the statues will be re-established.”
Despite the government's assurance, Jain leaders have vowed to continue their protests until all their demands are met.
The situation remains tense as the Jain community waits for concrete actions to restore the idols and preserve their heritage.
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