Ahimsa Times
Jain Samaj At Surat Declares Roop Muni (Rajat) As Acharya?
According to reports published in a Surat newspaper (Lok Tej, Hindi daily dated 20th Dec. 03), the Sthanakwasi Jain community of Keem village near Surat has declared Sri Roop muni 'Rajat' as the Acharya of Shraman sangh. It appears from the news item published in another weekly paper from Ahmedabad, Sri Roop Muni has declared himself as Acharya replacing Sri Umesh Muni, whom he had himself appointed as Acharya in place of present Acharya Dr. Shiv muni only a few months ago. Sri Roop Muni after completing Chaturmas at Surat is on the way to Rajasthan and it is obvious from the news reports that he is spreading the canards through local innocent people about his self-proclamation as Acharya. The Press also does not leave any opportunity to print any hot news knowing well that it is all false propaganda. It is well known that Dr. Shiv Muni is and remains the true Acharya of entire Shraman sangh and commands full support from all the saints and sadhwis except a few who were rightly expelled by him from Shraman sangh due to their indisciplinary and anti-religious activities. It is a shame on the Sthanakwasi society to tolerate and accept such so-called sadhus. It is high time that the Samaj takes the matter seriously and chalks out appropriate action in a united manner against the defaulting sadhus, whoever they are in order to maintain the dignity and clean image.