AHMEDABAD, INDIA, September 28, 2006: (HPI adds: India’s constitution designates, for the purpose of law, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, as part of Hinduism.) Modi continues to court controversy, states this article. This time, it is his Government’s decision to include Jainism into the Hindu fold that has unleashed a debate among the community members. While Ahmedabad witnessed dharnas (akin to “sit -ins”) and agitations, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara remained relatively quiet. In Ahmedabad, this decision is not welcomed by community leaders. According to Shobhagmal Kataria, president of Bharat Jain Maha Mandal (Gujarat), the main issue is the Government has termed Jainism as one of the denominations of Hinduism. “We have no problem people converting from Jainism to Hinduism or vice-versa. But to say that Jainism and Buddhism are part of Hinduism is ridiculous. It seems that the Government is not aware of reality,” he said. At a dharna held at the Town Hall on Thursday, members of Jain and Buddhist communities gathered under the banner of ‘Committee to Fight Against Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act’ to register their protest.
In other areas, Jains are split on the bill. “Jains have welcomed the Bill. Jainism is very much part of Hinduism. I do not see any protest in this regard,” said Vijay Rupani. Leading businessmen are also in support of the Modi Government. “We support the Bill. There is nothing wrong in it,” said Chandrakant Sheth, a businessman and a Jain leader from Rajkot. Sheth added, “The Modi government had the consent of Jain leaders before taking the step. In Surat, Jain leaders claimed that Jainism and Hinduism run parallel to each other and Vadodara has remained quiet. For the full article on the controversy, click on the url above.