In an effort to register his protest against Uttar Pradesh Government’s move to set up 8 modern slaughter houses in the state, with a capacity of 10,000 to 20,000 animals slaughtering per day Jain Muni Shri Maitri Prabh Sagar Ji Maharaj has been on fast-unto-death since 26th April 2011. Even after several days of his fast UP’s Govt. has not shown any positive response. The peaceful movement was keeping the police and UP Govt. on their toes. The peaceful movement catching massive support from different sections of the society was damaging political aspirations of UP’s chief minister, Mayawati. the movement against slaughter houses was also getting international attention.
Meerut Bandh on 10th May was successful beyond UP Govt’s imagination and finally the Govt. decided to disrupt the movement by through the application of police force. At the government's instructions city police arrested the Honourable Jain Monk on his 17th day of fast unto death at 2 am along with more than 100 supporters. Nobody was informed about the where abouts of Munishri. This may be noted that Jain monks never use any vehicle and also do not walk from one location to other in the night but despite knowing the fact, UP police arrested the saint, at mid-night under the excuse of his falling health due to continued fasting and sent him to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital at Delhi. This act of police is wholesome dishonour of Jain tradition and Jainism at large. The U. P. Police also stopped Munishri Chinmay Sagarji, who was on his way to meet Munishri Maitri Prabh Sagarji.
A Jain monk takes a lifelong vow of never to hurt anyone, never to use and cause violence towards any (humans and non humans) and never to use any kind of vehicle (human, animal and mechanical driven). Never before in the history of Jains in India, has any Jain Sadhu been arrested and his vows been broken for observing his/her vows and demonstrating against policies of the state that promote violence, killing and slaughter of animals. The Jain community in USA and Canada have also expressed there anguish on the vindictive behaviour of the UP Government and its police force. The president of the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA), Lata Champsee has also sent letters of protest to the Prime Minister of India, Chief Minister of U. P and other officials. More such letters are being sent by by the community and its institutions in North America. Courtesy: Dr. Sulekh C. Jain.