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Bhilwara, 2 December (HS). Jain community held a strong demonstration in Bhilwara in protest against the threat of demolishing the more than 80 years old Jain sub-shelter Mahavir Bhavan in Kalias village of Asind area of Bhilwara district. In this protest, Bhilwara Sakal Jain Samaj along with Kaliyas Jain Samaj submitted a memorandum to the District Collector. In the memorandum, the Jain community demanded to protect the Upashraya from any kind of damage and preserve it.
The history of Mahavir Bhawan Jain Subashraya located in Kalias is more than 80 years old. Apart from being a resting place for Jain saints and sages, this building is also a useful place for various social functions. It was renovated some time ago. The memorandum mentioned that this building is not limited to any particular sect or sect, but is useful for saints of different sects and traditions. Apart from this, due to non-availability of other facilities for the stay of saints and sages in the surrounding villages, the importance of this sub-shelter increases even more.
Jain community alleges that Sarpanch Shaktisingh Chundawat of Kaliyas village has verbally threatened some members of Jain community that Mahavir Bhawan will be demolished. The Jain community has described this threat as a serious threat to their religion and cultural heritage.
Hundreds of people of Bhilwara Jain community gathered at Mukherjee Udyan demanding to save Mahavir Bhawan and then demonstrated till the Collectorate. This demonstration was led by Nauratmal Dungarwal, President of Shri Jain Shwetambar Sangh Kalias. The protesters demanded preservation of Mahavir Bhawan and action against the sarpanch. During the demonstration, the atmosphere echoed with slogans of Jain Unity Zindabad and Jai Lord Mahavir.
Jain community gave a memorandum to District Collector Namit Mehta demanding instructions to prevent any kind of damage to Kaliyas Upashraya. The Collector assured that an investigation will be conducted in this matter and status quo will be maintained for the time being.
During the demonstration and submission of memorandum, officials and members of various associations of Bhilwara Jain community participated. Among them, Shanti Bhavan Shrisangh Bhilwara President Mahendra Chhajed, Minister Sushil Chaplot, Terapanth Sabha President Jasraj Charadia, Vice President Nirmal Gokhru, and Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Sangh patron Tej Singh Nahar were prominent. On this entire issue, Kalias Sarpanch Shaktisingh said that no person from the Jain community has contacted him regarding this matter. He also said that if contact is made, a solution is possible.
In a memorandum given to the District Collector, the Jain community has demanded from the administration that any plan to demolish the Jain subsoil should be immediately stopped and it should be protected. The district administration has shown a positive attitude in this matter and assured investigation and necessary action.
This demonstration not only demonstrated the unity of the Jain community and its commitment to protect the heritage, but also showed that the society is ready to work together to protect its cultural heritage.