Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri (SP)

Moodbidri, Feb 22: Swastisri Bhattaraka Charukeerti Panditacharyavarya Swamiji of the Jain Mutt here has strongly opposed the recommendation contained in Justice Rama Jois panel report, recommending to bring the Jain religious institutions under the purview of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act.

“Hinduism and Jainism are closely connected. Jainism has always conserved its own identity through its own language, literature, and culture. The then government had acceded to the request of the Jains not to bring Jain institutions under the Hindu Endowments Act in 1997. The present government’s move to accept the panel report is condemnable,” he said in a press release.

He pointed out that former High Court Chief Justice, Rama Jois, is not a Jain, and that his report contains several mistakes. Stressing that the Jains and Hindus have always enjoyed a harmonious relationship, he felt that the government’s efforts to vitiate the atmosphere is not acceptable. He also demanded justice to the minority Jain community, claiming that Jains pay highest tax in the entire country.