Amar Chand, 76, died after observing "santhara", a centuries-old Jain practice where a person starves to prepare spiritually for their death. Mr Chand's family members in the city of Ajmer said, he had been ill for some time and decided to fast. He attained salvation by observing santhara. Two more women in the state - Kela Devi and Dhanni Devi - are observing the practice and have given up eating. Some time back, a Jain woman, 60-year-old Vimla Devi, died in the state capital, Jaipur, after fasting for 14 days. Vimla Devi, from Jaipur, observed Santhara, a centuries-old Jain practice, where one starves to spiritually prepare for death. Vimla Devi was terminally ill and suffering from cancer. Her family says that her decision to observe Santhara was sanctioned by a Jain cleric and her family members. She had expressed her wish to adopt Santhara and give up her life and for 14 days she did not eat or drink. Vimla Devi's family did not mourn or cry at her funeral. Instead, a large number of people from the community took out a procession and chanted prayers along the way.
Her fast led to a petition in the state's high court by critics who say the practice is similar to suicide. Nikhil Soni, who filed the court petition, says he tried to break her fast and had even informed the local police asking them to take action. But police told him they were seeking legal opinion on the issue. Defending the custom, a female Jain priest, Sadhvi Shubhankar, said, Santhara is centuries-old and cannot be compared to suicide. "It is not an act of suicide, it is an act of rational thinking and courage." In the last few years, there have been nearly a dozen cases of Santhara, including one some months ago when a Jain cleric starved to death in Sriganganagar.
It is very unfortunate that a section of the society is questioning santhara and equating it with suicide or sati. Sati is the ancient Hindu practice in which women die on their husband's funeral pyre. It is an old tradition and has religious sanction, it is similar to a Sikh carrying a kirpan. Jain Samta Vahini, an organisation representing the Jain community, has claimed that every year, around 100 people observe "santhara" to attain salvation. It is normal among Jains and we regard it with utmost respect. However, Campaigners want the practice banned, saying it is similar to suicide.