Indian government prohibits tourism at pilgrimage site

The Indian government has prohibited tourism activities at Sammed Shikharji, an important pilgrimage site for the Jain community, to avoid defiling the site with the consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food.

The site is in an environmentally sensitive area atop Jharkhand state’s highest mountain, and the Jain community is a religious minority comprising around 4.5 million believers. Devout Jains follow the tenets of their religion under the spiritual guidance of monks. These include detailed prescriptions for daily life, especially what to eat, what not to eat and when to eat.

The community fears that tourism to the pilgrimage site in Jharkhand will harm the sanctity of the area. Members have been protesting against the state government’s move to turn the site into a tourist spot for some weeks.

In 2019, the environment ministry approved tourism activities at Parasnath Hill – where the site is located – following the state government’s proposal.

On Thursday, it sent a letter to the state government stating that the site was important not just for the community but the entire nation.

“GoI led by PM Modi has always respected sentiments of Jain Samaj&recognises Sammed Shikharji Parvat Kshetra as sacred&revered holy place of Jain Samaj. GoI has also directed Jharkhand Govt to strictly enforce ban on sale&consumption of liquor&non-veg,” tweets Union min GK Reddy. pic.twitter.com/DZhF3HDlaJ

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2023

It asked the state to stop all tourism and eco-tourism activities at the site and to enforce all rules applicable to eco-sensitive zones.

This includes banning “loud music, the sale and consumption of intoxicants, defiling sites of religious and cultural significance,” and activities that can harm the ecology of the area.

Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav tweeted that “the federal government was committed to preserving and protecting the rights of the Jain community over all their religious sites, including Sammed Shikhar.”

Al Jazeera/S.O