Gujarat’s Pavagadh hill, a sacred site for the Jain community, came into the limelight as numerous centuries-old Jain murtis were vandalized and discarded by Pavagadh authorities during development work near the Mahakali temple. This has sparked severe protests by Dharmics, including Hindu and Jain community members in the Panchmahal area. Among the destroyed murtis is that of Bhagwan Neminath, the cousin of Bhagwan Krishna.

On the night of June 16, many Jains gathered at the Pavagadh Police Station to apply, stating that Jain Tirthankar statues near the Devi Temple in Pavagadh were suddenly removed from their rightful places. They argue that this act disrespects religious sentiments and violates legal rights, urging immediate law enforcement intervention to restore the statues. In Vadodara, Jain community leaders convened at Raopura Tower, and many subsequently travelled to Pavagadh.

Pavagadh authorities damage ancient Jain murtis

The controversy centres on removing Jain murtis to renovate the stairs leading to the Mahakali temple. According to the Pavagadh Teerth Vikas Samiti trustee, the steps are very old, flanked by murtis of the 22nd Jain Tirthankar Neminath Bhagwan and seven other vigrahas. Before the development work began, Jains submitted applications to the Collector and the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASI) of the Panchmahal district, expressing concerns over removing these vigrahas.

Despite these applications, the murtis were reportedly damaged by the authorities. A Jain leader expressed frustration, stating, “Even after submitting applications, our concerns were ignored. How can vigrahas, worshipped by Jains for centuries, be destroyed? On June 17, Jain leaders in Vadodara will submit applications to the Collector, and we will escalate the matter to the High Court. The agitation will continue until the murtis are restored. Jain monks in every city will meet with Collectors and file petitions on this issue.”

Jain community members were outraged upon learning about the damage. Jain Prem Vijayji Maharaj of Jain Samaj filed a petition at the Surat Collector’s office, stating, “We oppose the Pavagarh incident.” The community demanded severe punishment for the perpetrators and restoring the damaged site in Derasar to the Jain community.

Jain leaders acknowledged the development of the Mahakali Mata temple but condemned the destruction of the ancient Shwetambar Jain murtis in Pavagadh, causing severe repercussions within the community. A Jain leader threatened to approach the High Court, but government intervention has now ordered the restoration of the Jain Tirthankara idols at Pavagadh.

Dharmics protests against the authorities

Protests erupted nationwide following the destruction of Jain Tirthankara murtis in Pavagadh. Leaders of the Jain community have been protesting since the night of June 16. On Sunday, around 2500 Jain Samaj members marched to the Collector’s office in Surat, prompting the office to operate overnight. Jain community leaders petitioned collectors in various cities, including Surat and Vadodara, and presented their grievances to Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home Affairs. Harsh Sanghvi promised to reinstall the murtis in their original location.

On June 17, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi released a statement addressing the demolition of the Jain Tirthankara murtis in Pavagadh. He emphasized the historical significance of Pavagadh and the importance of preserving its vigrahas. “No trust, organization, or individual has the right to demolish such historic statues and religious places. The Gujarat CM has ensured that Jain sentiments must not be hurt. These statues must be re-established at their original positions… In some hours, the statues will be re-established,” he stated.

Sanghvi further explained that applications were taken from those responsible for the vandalism. After discussions with the Chief Minister, the government instructed the collector to reinstall the murtis according to regulations. The faith of the Jain community must be restored, and the vigrahas near the staircase should be reinstalled immediately. The Collector, SP, Jain Samaj, and other trusts were instructed to conclude their meeting and start the restoration work promptly.

The case highlights the importance of sensitising authorities to Dharmic values. We have seen repeatedly that the secular state mistreats Dharmic institutions.

(Featured Image Source: Gujarat Samachar)