JHANSI: Around 10,000 people of all ages from Jain community shaved their heads in Uttar Pradesh’s Lalitpur as a mark of protest against the recent Rajasthan High Court order banning the religious practice of ‘Santhara’ . Lalitpur has a predominant Jain population.

The community members termed tonsuring of heads as a peaceful protest against the high court order. An appeal was also made by the community to the traders to close the market on Monday.

Reports said early Saturday morning, several Jain community members of all ages — from five to 80 years — lined up in front of two main Jain temples, Ata Mandir at Ghanta Ghar and Chetrapal temple. A group of 25 barbers present at each temple later shaved their heads.

This exercise of tonsuring of heads continued till late night and will be further carried on Sunday also, said Ajay Jain, a local resident who also got his head shaved.

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“This is our peaceful protest against the high court ruling. This is our religious ritual which we have been following since ages and stopping it is an insult to our religion,” he told TOI.

President of Digambar Jain Mandir, Lalitpur, Anil Anchal, said, “A total of 10,000 people from the community are getting their heads shaved.” He called it “a unique protest with an overwhelming response”.

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In an order passed on August 10, the Rajasthan High Court declared the Jain practice of ‘ Santhara ’ or ‘Sallekhana’ as illegal and held that any person supporting the practice would be prosecuted for abetment of suicide. This order has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

A person, after taking a vow of Santhara, stops eating and drinking water till death.

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Congress leader Pradeep Jain Aditya, who is a former MP from Jhansi-Lalitpur constituency, said: “The HC decision is very sad. This is not a suicide but rather art of living. Suicide is done by those who are dejected by life, but Santhara is practiced by those saints who have taught us how to lead a happy life. It is being practiced since ages.”