The Champaner-Pavagadh Archeological Park in Gujarat holds ancient remains from a 14th-century Hindu kingdom and a 15th-century Islamic sultanate. Recently, Jains gathered in Mumbai to protest the destruction of Jain Tirthankara idols near the Kalika Mata temple within this UNESCO-listed site. The incident occurred on June 16 in Panchmahal district.
Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghvi, pledged to restore the idols after the destruction, which Jains condemned as an attack on their religious symbols. Although the culprits remain unidentified, Jain groups suspect involvement from the temple authorities. The Mahakali temple trust, however, denies any wrongdoing, stating that the idols may have been displaced during renovation work.
The incident sparked protests within the Jain community in Gujarat and demands in Mumbai for legal action, including filing a First Information Report (FIR), arresting the perpetrators, and restoring the idols. Tirthankaras are revered as Jain spiritual teachers, and their statues were positioned along the temple’s steps. According to Jains, several idols and sculptures were damaged during the temple’s renovation, which they consider unacceptable.
Vinamra Sagar Maharaj, a Jain monk, emphasized the need for government protection and reconstruction of the vandalized religious site, arguing for the safeguarding of minority rights under the Constitution. He expressed concern that if Jain temples aren’t secure now, when will they be?
Sanghvi reported that the idol restoration had commenced and instructed the local police to investigate the incident. The Pavagadh-Champaner Archeological Park spans 13.28 square kilometers with an additional 29.11 square kilometers as a buffer zone.
The Kalika Mata temple, situated atop Pavagadh hill, is a significant pilgrimage site known as one of 51 Shakti Peeths in South Asia. It holds historical importance as a site initially built by Jains and later handed over to Hindus.
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