The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to take necessary steps to protect Parasnath Hill, a sacred pilgrimage site for the Jain community, in alignment with their customs and religious values. The order was issued during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Jain organisation ‘Jyot’.
A division bench led by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao ordered the formation of a joint inspection team, comprising officials from the District Legal Services Authority, state representatives, and the petitioner, to visit the site and evaluate its current condition. The court stated that an interim order would be passed after reviewing the team’s findings.
Advocates representing the petitioners highlighted the religious significance of Parasnath Hill, noting it as the site where several Jain Tirthankaras attained nirvana, making it an important spiritual center for Jains across India and abroad.
The petition raised concerns over the erosion of the site’s sanctity due to activities such as the sale of alcohol and meat, illegal encroachments, and unauthorised constructions.
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The petitioners also objected to eggs being distributed at nearby Anganwadi centers and criticised the government’s plans to develop the site as a tourist destination, warning that it could disrupt the religious ambiance of the area.
They further stated that the government had not taken sufficient action to address these concerns, despite a January 5, 2023 directive from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change emphasising the need to preserve the hill in accordance with Jain traditions.
Representing the state, Advocate General Rajeev Ranjan assured the court that the administration is mindful of the sentiments of all religious communities, including Jains. He informed the bench that measures were already being implemented to stop meat sales and prevent encroachments around the hill.
Senior advocate Darius Khambata, along with lawyers Indrajit Sinha, Khushboo Kataruka, and Shubham Kataruka, appeared for the petitioner.
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