🛕 Jains Prevented from Worshipping at Girnar’s Sacred Peak Amid Tensions
Despite a Gujarat High Court interim order affirming Jain rights to worship at Girnar’s fifth peak, local authorities have banned mentions of Lord Neminath, chanting of the Jaykara, and rituals marking his moksha, reports indicate timesofindia.indiatimes.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8reddit.com+8timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Security measures remain strict: pilgrims are barred from entering beyond the first peak, under threat of arrest.
🚫 Ban on Mentions and Rituals at 1st Peak onwards
The authorities have enforced a proscription against uttering “Neminath”, the Namokar Mantra, or other Jain prayers once pilgrims cross the first summit. Anyone caught chanting is reportedly taken into custody, with legal penalties under ambiguous public-safety rules freepressjournal.in.
🕊️ Historical Worship and Court Backing
For centuries, the fifth peak of Girnar hill has hosted Jain pilgrims commemorating Lord Neminath’s nirvana . In 2024, Jain organizations filed a petition declaring their primary religious rights to worship at this sacred site. The Gujarat High Court has since sought responses from the ASI, local government, and pilgrimage board, underlining Jains’ entitlement to access and ritual storiesbyarpit.com+4freepressjournal.in+4timesofindia.indiatimes.com+4.
🧑🤝🧑 Incidents of Harassment and Safety Concerns
Jain monks and devotees report repeated harassment at checkpoints, with strict inspections reminiscent of terrorism checks. Ritual items like coconuts are often confiscated over bomb-scare fears . Pilgrims say they have been prevented from visiting sacred foot-print shrines despite traveling hundreds of kilometers via foot marches lasting up to three months freepressjournal.in.
🏞️ Ropeway Closure Adds to Restrictions
The Girnar ropeway, which usually runs daily, was inexplicably suspended on key days in 2025, disrupting access for elderly pilgrims and amplifying community concerns about unequal treatment .
📢 Community Outrage and Allegations of Bias
The Jain community has described this as “the most tragic suppression of religious freedom in independent India,” accusing the local government of harassment, favouritism, and communal bias. Campaigns under hashtags like #Jainism and slogans like “Sabka Saath Par Vikas Ek Ka” reflect deep frustration .
🔍 Court’s Position and Pending Orders
While the Gujarat High Court has accepted petitions supporting Jain worship at the fifth peak, enforcement remains stalled. Hearings have been adjourned pending responses from the ASI and Gujarat’s pilgrimage board. Protesters are now asking the court for clear enforcement directives to prevent further rights violations timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
✅ Call for Fair Access and Judicial Enforcement
Jains are urging:
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Restoration of full access to the 5th peak and shrine area
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Court order mandating unobstructed worship and chanting
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Reopening of the ropeway on major Jain festivals
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End to harassment and arrests at Girnar entrances
