Santhara

Santhara

Ques: The religious practice ‘Santhara’ belongs to which community?

a. Hindu
b. Buddha
c. Jain
d. Sikh

Ans: c

Related facts:

  • The Supreme Court on Monday restored the Jain religious practice of a ritualistic fast unto death (Santhara) by staying an order of the Rajasthan High Court.
  • It is known that on 11 August, 2015 Rajasthan High Court declared it as a criminal offence in accordance with Section 309 (attempted suicide) or Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the IPC.
  • Rajasthan court says “it was not established that ‘Santhara’ or ‘Sallekhana’ is an essential practice of the Jain religion. Jain scriptures or texts don’t say that ‘Moksha’ (salvation) can be achieved only by Santhara/Sallekhana”.
  • In 2006, Jaipur based lawyer Nikhil Soni filed a public interest litigation and sought directions under Article 226 to the central and state governments to treat ‘Santhara’, the fast unto death practiced by ‘Swetambara Jains’ (Digambars call it Sallekhana), as illegal and punishable under the laws of the land.
  • Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy said while staying the HC order and issuing notices to the Centre, Rajasthan and others.
  • The pleas had sought a stay on the High Court judgment, claiming it was passed without appreciating the basic philosophy and tenets of Jain religion.
  • ‘Santhara’ is a Jain custom of embracing voluntary death – it involves practitioners taking an oath to stop eating until they die of starvation. According to Jains, this is a way to purge oneself of bad ‘Karma’ and attain ‘Moksha’.

Reference:

http://www.jainworld.com/book/pratikraman/ch22.asp
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-lifts-stay-on-santhara-ritual-of-jains/article7600851.ece
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-3410560
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-permits-Jain-community-to-practice-Santhara/articleshow/48751751.cms?