Following protests from Jain community, restoration of idols begin in Pavagadh

Updated: Jun 18th, 2024


After a fierce protest from the Jain community, the authorities started restoration work of Jain idols along the stairs of Shaktipeeth — Pavagadh on June 17.

Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi updated on X on the night of June 17 that a legal complaint (first information report) has been filed for disrespecting the idols of Bhagwan Neminath ji in Pavagadh.

He also shared the video of the re-installation work of Jain idols along the stairs of Pavagadh and wrote that an investigation into this matter is underway under the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) of Panchmahal.

A meeting was held at Pavagadh with police officers from Panchmahal district, Shri Kalika Mataji Mandir Trust and leaders of the Jain community on June 17. 

The meeting reached the consensus of reinstalling the seven idols of Tirthankaras in their respective positions. Moreover, it was decided to properly install the damaged idols and commence the restoration work immediately under the supervision of the temple trust.

The secretary of the Halol Jain community said, “A meeting will be held today (June 18) regarding the reinstallment of the removed idols. Despite the work having already begun, we demand a resolution in writing that such action will not repeat.”

Ashok Pandya, trustee and secretary at the Pavagadh temple trust, said that earlier the people demanded to take away the idols, but now they want them to be restored.

A Jain community leader, Kiran Duggad of Halol, had registered a complaint stating that his friend had gone to visit Pavagadh on June 16. At that time, he informed Duggad that the statues of Lord Neminath along the stairs were damaged. 

After Jain leaders from Halol reached the site, they filed a complaint against an unidentified person under CRPC 154 at Pavagadh police station.

Jain community protests across Gujarat

The removal of religious idols and statues of Jain Tirthankars along the stairs of Pavagadh Hill led to major protests across districts of Gujarat asking for restoration and action against the destroyers of the statues.

On June 17, leaders of various Jain organisations in Vadodara, including Acharya Hemchandrasagar Sagar Suri Maharaj, Acharya Viragchandrasagar Suri Maharaj, Panyas Ramychandravijayji, Gani Ratnabhansuri Vijayji, and Sanjay Munini, protested vehemently outside the collector’s bungalow and submitted a petition to restore the removed idols.

People of the Jain community along with leaders rallied in Surendranagar and presented an application to the collector regarding the matter on the same day.

The agitation also spread to Surat and other parts of the state.

Also read:

Jain community demands immediate restoration of removed idols in Vadodara

Age-old Jain idols removed by Pavagadh authorities, community protests

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