Today, On 31st July, The Supreme Court emphasized its respect for all religions during a case concerning the preservation of Parasnath Hill in Jharkhand, a site sacred to the Jain community. The justices affirmed their commitment to religious respect and impartiality.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday emphasized the importance of respecting all religions while deliberating on a case concerning the preservation of Parasnath Hill, a sacred site for the Jain community .
A Bench comprising Justices CT Ravikumar and Sanjay Karol noted that the case required a detailed hearing and subsequently postponed it by a week.
During the proceedings, Justice Karol expressed his personal desire to visit Parasnath Hill in the future.
Justice Karol remarked,
“I must inform you all one thing, that I intend to visit that hill place. I hope that is not a problem of me hearing this case. I visit such places,”
Justice Ravikumar also shared his perspective, stating that he frequents such revered locations, regardless of their religious affiliation.
Justice Ravikumar stated,
“Even I visit all these places irrespective of religion. As judges of the top court, we respect all religions and respect should be extended to all faiths,”
The case before the top court concerns the sanctity of Parasnath Hill, a highly revered pilgrimage site for the Jain community. Jain devotee Darshanaben Nayanbhai Shah filed an urgent application to stop activities that she believes desecrate the sacred site located in the Giridih district of Jharkhand.
Parasnath Hill, also known as Shikharji, is the holiest place for Jains, where 20 of the 24 Tirthankaras (spiritual teachers) and numerous monks are believed to have attained nirvana (spiritual enlightenment). Shah, a dedicated Jain, expressed concerns that tourist activities such as the construction of ropeways, shops, polling booths, schools, and the serving of meat in the area threaten the sanctity of the hill.
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The application, represented by Senior Advocates Darius Khambata and Gopal Sankaranarayanan, requests that the State of Jharkhand be restrained from allowing such activities, which considered sacrilegious by Jains.
This issue is linked to a six-decade-long title dispute over the hill, which acquired from the Jain community in 1953 under the Bihar Land Reforms Act. This Act, part of the ninth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, is not subject to judicial review. Shah has been fasting for 30 years to support her demands to preserve the hill’s sacred nature.