'Santhara': VHP expresses 'sadness, agony' over Raj HC order

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad today expressed "sadness and agony" over the Rajasthan High Court judgement banning the practice of "Santhara", a Jain religious practice of voluntary fast unto death.
"We humbly request the judiciary and the governments not to interfere in matters relating to religious and cultural life. The followers of religions which have originated in India - be it Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism or Sikhism - have never shied away from reforms which is evident from movements for widow remarriage and women's education.
"But this should come from within the society and not imposed from outside," VHP international president Pravin Togadia said in a statement.

Togadia said that "it has become fashionable to denigrate age-old customs followed by the people of the country for which a westernised education system, which gives rise to a pseudo-secular mindset, is to be blamed".
"The Rajasthan High Court order is tantamount to interference in matters relating to religion and culture and we express sadness and agony over the same," Togadia added.
The Rajasthan High Court had on August 10 held Jainism religious ritual of 'Santhara' as illegal making it punishable under sections 306 (abetment of suicide) and 309 (attempted suicide) of the IPC.
"Santhara or fast unto death is not an essential tenet of Jainism," the HC said, adding it cannot be termed as "humane" and it's violative of basic human right. A Public Interest Litigation challenging the legality of 'Santhara' was filed in the high court in 2006.

A petition challenging the same has been filed in the Supreme Court.