Sunday 11 February, 2007

Why we want a Minority Status?

It is really surprising to see the unwarranted opposition for minority status to Jainism, especially by some educated Jains. Apparently this is due to ignorance as to what benefits are likely to accrue to Jain community, if it is provided a minority status. Rather than applauding the efforts of people like Shri Bal Patil for moving Supreme Court, our own people are involved in leg pulling. The issue of minority status for Jains needs to be understood in proper perspective.
At the outset, we need to understand that we don't want minority status for Jains simply for reservations or government grants. The issue and the stakes here are much bigger than that. Jains constitute hardly 1-2 % of the Indian population, but still exercise a strong influence on Indian business, economy and politics. But a minority status for Jains would accrue the following benefits :-
1) Jain religion would be recognised as a separate religion and not an off shoot of Hinduism.
There are so many fundamental differences in religious doctrines of Hindus and Jains that they cannot be considered as same. However there are many Jains who are still suffering from delusion that we are Hindus who followed the path of Bhagwan Mahaveer. While doing Pratikraman, we ask for forgiveness for 25 types of wrong belief (Mithyatva), out of which one of them is - to consider some other path as path of Jainism and to consider Jainism as some other path. Hence to consider Jin marg as part of Hinduism is one type of Mithyatva. Unfortunately, people forget everything as soon as they come out of temples and Sthanak's.
This wrong belief has contributed partly to decline of Jainism through ages. Many Jains are not aware as to what is the real Jin marg! Further, Jainism has been given a raw deal by Right-winger propagandists by insisting that Jainism is part of Hinduism. On the other hand, these right-wingers ignore the contribution of Jains and Jainism in all their literature. The Antiquity and the legacy of Jainism and the Jain kings has been purged from History text books. They don't consider Lord Mahavir as one of their Gods and ignore Jain scriptures and yet insist that Jainism is part Hinduism!
Providing minority status to Jains will ensure that there is an all round awareness that Jainism and Hinduism are different. A Jain will have a distinct identity and he will identify himself as Jain and not as a Hindu or Hindu-Jain.
2) Minority Status would protect our constitutional right to run our own educational institutions. It would ensure autonomy in funding, admissions and management. Often deserving Jain students who score more than 70% cannot get admissions in educational institutions run by Jain trusts because it of other reservations. Majority of Hindus have ensured that they are benefited by reservations. Even upper caste Kshatriyas, Bania Hindus are categorised under OBC's. Muslims, Parsis, Christians, and even Hindus ensure that their children get religious education in schools. Except Jains who depend on Pathshala's. Because most Jains are interested in building temples and Derasars instead of schools and colleges.
3) It will prevent Government from taking control over our religious institutions and temples as slowly we are losing control over religious places. It is necessary to prevent what is happening at Girnarji. Bhagavan Neminatha's charana were established at Girnarji for many thousands of years. Now, Hindus have taken over the 5th and the 3rd hill, thus wiping out extremely important Jain heritage from Gujarat
4) Not all Jains are rich – Jainism creates an image of a rich business man. But not all Jains are rich. Many are poor farmers or traders living in poverty. Some benefit will accrues to them on account of minority status.

5) It is a right enshrined in the constitution – It is likely if you do not exercise your rights, slowly they will go away. Hence it is imperative that we exercise this right to prevent putting us at a disadvantageous position.

All Jains need to understand that the issue at stake is of survival and growth of Jainism. The Minority Status is but a small step in this right direction. If we cannot do anything about this, let us at least encourage others who are doing their bit for Jainism.

Regards
Anish Shah

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