The Jain community in Maharashtra has staged widespread protests following the alleged sale of a 3.5-acre property in Pune's Model Colony owned by the historic Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust. Valued at Rs 300 crore, the land includes a Jain temple and a boarding facility established in 1958 for underprivileged students. Community members claim the deal with Gokhale Constructions violates the trust deed, conceals the temple's existence, and betrays the property's charitable purpose. The controversy intensified when Pune's BJP MP and Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol was accused of links with the developer, although he has denied these allegations. This incident is the latest in a year marked by friction between the Jain community and the ruling BJP government. Earlier disputes included the demolition of a century-old temple in April, a crackdown on pigeon-feeding enclosures in July, and the court-ordered relocation of a temple elephant. Despite making up only 1.25% of Maharashtra's population, Jains wield significant political and economic influence. The BJP government has ordered a status quo on the land sale and launched an inquiry, while the construction company has withdrawn from the deal.
Series of Conflicts Throughout the Year
Relations between the Jain community and the BJP-led government faced multiple challenges during the year. In April, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation demolished parts of a century-old Digambar Jain temple in Vile Parle, prompting thousands to march in protest. The Maharashtra State Minority Commission called the action premature. July saw a government crackdown on kabutarkhanas, pigeon-feeding enclosures spiritually significant to Jains. Minister Uday Samant announced the closure of 51 kabutarkhanas across Mumbai due to public health concerns. The Bombay High Court directed police to file cases against those feeding pigeons despite the ban. Additionally, a 36-year-old elephant named Mahadevi was relocated from a Jain Math in Kolhapur to Gujarat following a court order, triggering widespread protests despite the Supreme Court's approval.
Government Response and Community Influence
Despite representing just 1.25% of Maharashtra's population, the state's 14 lakh Jains hold considerable political and economic influence, particularly in urban areas. The community historically supports the BJP with financial backing and electoral strength. Recognizing the growing unease, the BJP deployed senior leaders to engage with protesters. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis partially rolled back the pigeon-feeding ban and ordered a status quo on the Pune land deal with an inquiry into its legality. The government emphasized its commitment to resolving community concerns, pointing to initiatives like establishing a Jain Minority Development and Finance Corporation. Some Jain leaders acknowledged that recent months tested their traditional alliance with the BJP, though others maintained the conflicts were coincidental rather than political.
Source: Link