Jain priest on save Parasnath hills fast for 9 days dies in Jaipur

JAIPUR: A 72-year-old Jain priest on hunger strike for the past nine days against the Jharkhand government's proposal declaring the Parasnath hills a tourist spot passed away in Jaipur Tuesday.
Sugyeyasagar Maharaj's death came amid protests at several places in the country against the plan and a day after Jharkhand's JMM-led government vowed to maintain the sanctity of the revered Jain pilgrimage, indicating that it may revoke the 2019 proposal by the previous BJP government.
Jodhpur native Sugyeyasagar had started his fast at Jaipur's Sanghiji temple after a march on December 25 against the plan related to Parasnath hills known as Sammed Shikharji - where 20 of the 24 Jain Tirthankars had attained moksha. (salvation).
This included Lord Parshvanath, the 23rd Tirthankara. Jains are concerned the tourism tag is leading to consumption of alcohol and non-veg food by visitors around the hill site in Giridih district.
Sugyeyasagar's funeral procession to Jaipur's Sanganer - where he attained 'samadhi' - drew scores of followers and other priests like Acharya Sunil Sagar. "He has sacrificed his life to save Sammed Shikharji. He was very attached to the sacred place," Bhagchandra Jain, president of All India Jain Bankers Forum, said.
‘He has sacrificed his life to save Sammed Shikharji’
Sugyeyasagar’s funeral procession to Jaipur’s Sanganer — where he attained ‘samadhi’ — drew scores of followers and other priests like Acharya Sunil Sagar.
“He has sacrificed his life to save Sammed Shikharji. He was very attached to the sacred place,” Bhagchandra Jain, president of All India Jain Bankers Forum, said. Acharya Sunil Sagar, a priest, echoed the sentiments. “Sammed Shikhar is our pride. Muni Sugyesagar Maharaj passed away at 6am. He has surrendered himself to our religion,” Sagar said.
Sugyesagar was born in Bilada, Jodhpur, but was based in Mumbai.
He had taken ‘deeksha (initiation)’ from Acharya Sunil Sagar Maharaj in Girnar, Gujarat.
His original name was Nemiraj. Acharya Shanshak, another priest, said the movement in Rajasthan against the tourism plan would be intensified after January 15.