Jain Sadhvi arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments

Jalandhar: A Jain sadhvi was arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments of a community after her comments sparked violent protests in Jalandhar cantonment area where a complete bandh was observed today.

50-year-old Chelna Devi was remanded to judicial custody by the court today which said the case was not under its jurisdiction after she sought bail.

Angry locals armed with sticks took to streets and damaged some vehicles against the alleged comments made by the sadhvi against Maharishi Valmiki during a sermon at a Jain temple late last night.

The protesters dispersed after senior police officials assured them of necessary action.

Chelna was last night booked under section 295 A of Indian Penal Code (IPC) (to outrage religious feelings) but today DSP Parminder Singh told the court that the police had also slapped Section 3 of Prevention of Atrocities on SC/ST Act against her.

Jain Sadhvi's Remarks Creates Tension

Jalandhar, Aug 30 : Tension continued to prevail in the cantonment area of the city on the fourth day today even after the arrest of the Jain Sadhvi Chelna Didi of Jharkhand for her alleged derogatory remarks about Maharishi Valmiki during her discourse in the Digambar Jain Mandir on Thursday night which outraged the Valmiki community.

The activists of the Jain community made a futile attempt today for a complete bandh in the cantoment area. The police, however, did not allow the activists to use pressure tactics against the shopkeepers who opened their shops today.

The administration is worried over the religious procession (Shobha Yatra) to be taken out on September 3, when the week-long annual religious function of the Jain community in progress at the cantonment’s Digambar Jain Mandir will come to an end. In the procession, distinguished Jain Munis and prominent leaders of the Jain sect across the country are expected to participate.

In order to prevent any untoward incident and check violence the police have made elaborate security arrangements around the mandir.

The leaders of the Jain community have started parleys with the Valmiki leaders to resolve the matter.

Mr Sukhpal Jain, president of the mandir managing committee and Anup Jain said the community wanted to resolve the dispute so that the arrested Sadhvi could go to her home state without any legal complications. Meanwhile, the sermons restarted in the mandir today.

There are indications that leaders of the Valmiki organisations have softened their stand in view of the apology tendered on behalf of the Sadhvi, who was arrested on Friday last.
--UNI