JAIPUR, INDIA, September 24, 2006: The Jain practice of Santhara or fasting with the intent of dying has been challenged in the Rajasthan High Court. A petitioner has equated the practice with suicide and mercy killing, setting off a debate on the age-old religious practice. “When people on hunger strike are booked by the police, why under the shelter of custom one particular community should be permitted to do so?” Petitioner’s lawyer Madhav Mitra says. Sixty-one-year-old Vimala Devi’s family do not quite agree with this argument forwarded by a petitioner who wants a stop to the Jain religious practice of Santhara or fasting with the intent of dying. While Vimala Devi is too ill to tell her story, her family has been celebrating her fast which is on its tenth day. She is suffering from brain tumor and her husband says this practice allows her to die in peace. “She is my wife and it is my duty to support her belief. I do not want to add to her sufferings,” Sohan Lal Bhansali, woman’s husband says. Petitioner, Nikhil Soni, says Santhara is as illegal as suicide and mercy killing. He believes it subtly encourages the elderly among the community to follow the practice. However, Jain religious groups disagree. “One should accept that Indians are very religious in their approach and this is nothing social but personal. If a person decides to take up Santhara or Sanlekhna the government or the courts or other people should not come in the way,” Jain religious group President N.K. Sethi says. The matter is up for hearing on October 5, when both the state government and Jain religious groups will respond to the notice. Till then Vimala Devi’s fast unto death continues.
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