'Child dikshas may have guardians soon'

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Thursday admitted a petition filed in 2006 by a baldiksha's Indore-based parents challenging the power of the
Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to look into the life of a sadhvi.

A bench of Justices D K D Deshmukh and R S Mohite, while hearing the arguments, indicated the possibility of making compulsory the appointment of a guardian for such baldikshas. "We may make it necessary for a district judge to appoint a guardian for every minor who takes diksha (renunciation of the world as practised among Jains),'' observed Justice Deshmukh. At one point, Justice Mohite seemed unhappy with the fate that greeted baldikshas.

Senior counsel Rafiq Dada, assisted by advocate Sanjay Jain, said the court could not interfere with the practice of diksha.


An NGO had complained to the CWC, which had opined that the baldikshas required better looking after. But the parents said their daughter had chosen to take diksha and no one else could intervene in the age-old tradition followed by the community.


The court had appointed a panel to interview the baldiksha, NGO counsel Mihir Desai said. A report submitted to the court held that the six-year-old's diksha was "clearly a decision taken for her without thinking about the consequences'' and "not in her best interests''.

(From TOI)

Jain Candidates for the Loksabha Elections 2009

I have compiled a list of Jain candidates for the Loksabha Elections 2009. I found 8 Jain candidates who are surely Jains. Here is the list, which gives Names of the candidates, Loksabha constituency and the political party to which they belong. If you know other Jain candidates who are not listed here, please add them by replying to this mail.

Smt. Urmila Jain	Jahalawar (Rajsthan)	Congress
Satyapal Jain	Chandigarh (UT)	BJP
Pradeep Jain Aditya	Jhansi (UP)	Congress
Naresh Pugalia	Chandrapur (MH)	Congress
Raju Shetty	Hatkanangale (MH)	Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana
Pushp Jain	Pali (Rajasthan)	BJP
Anil Jain	Kanpur Nagar (UP)	Independent
Dilip Gandhi	Ahmednagar (MH)	BJP

For the elections of Orissa assembly, there are two Jain candidates namely Dinesh Jain for Jharsuguda (BJP) and Kailash Jain for Narla (BSP)

-Mahavir Sanglikar, Pune

91 909 608 2940

91 927 309 3122

Mahavir Jayanti’ celebrated

New Delhi, Apr. 7 (ANI): ‘Mahavir Jayanti’, the birthday of Lord Mahavir, was celebrated today with religious zeal and gaiety across the country.

President Pratibha Singh Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh have greeted citizens of the country on the occasion.

In her message, President Patil said: “May the message of Lord Mahavir, of love, compassion and peace, guide our conduct and inspire us to follow the path of ”Ahimsa” for good of all humanity.”

“On the occasion of ‘Mahavir Jayanti’, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens,” she added.

Vice President Ansari urged the countrymen to imbibe Mahavir’’s teachings for promoting peace and enduring happiness of humanity.

“Bhagwan Mahavir, through his divine life and teachings, showed us the path of non-violence, truthfulness, peace and universal love. His teachings are relevant at all times to emancipate mankind from suffering and to ensure peace and happiness through spiritual excellence,” he said.

Prime Minister Dr. Singh said: “Lord Mahavir’’s life and philosophy inspires everybody to lead a life of compassion, sacrifice and non-violence.”

On the occasion, Dr. Singh also wished the countrymen happiness and prosperity. (ANI)