JAIPUR: A 72-year-old, Jain priest who was on hunger strike for the past nine days to protest Jharkhand government’s decision for declaring Shri Sammed Shikharji a tourist place, passed away in Jaipur on Tuesday.
Sugyeyasagar Maharaj was a native of Bilara village in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. After participating in a peace march in Jaipur against the decision on December 25, he sat on hunger strike at the Sanghiji temple in the city’s Sanganer area.
On Tuesday morning, his funeral procession (dol yatra) was taken out from Sanganer Sanghiji temple.
During this, many Jain community people, including Acharya Sunil Sagar were present. The Jain priest was given a samadhi at Sanganer in Jaipur.
The president of All India Jain Bankers Forum Bhagchandra Jain said, "He has sacrificed his life to save Sammed Shikharji. From the beginning he was attached to a sacred place."
Another Jain priest, Sunil Sagar, said: "Sammed Shikhar is our pride. Today at 6 o'clock Muni Sugyesagar Maharaj passed away. When he came to know that the area has been declared as a tourist destination, he started continuous fast in protest. He has surrendered himself to religion in Rajasthan."
The members of the Jain community held a countrywide massive protest on Sunday against the Jharkhand government’s decision. The community members announced that they would intensify protest if their demand was not fulfilled.
"The protest will be intensified after January 15," said a Jain priest.
