Palitana, located in Bhavnagar district, is associated with Jain religion legends and history. Adinath the first of the Jain Tirthankar, is said to have meditated on the Giriraj Shatrunjay hill, where the Palitana temples were later constructed.
Last month, some mischievous elements broke the steps and pole of the first Jain Tirthankar temple in Palitana. Also, there are complaints of illegal alcohol selling and mining going on near the temple. Also in November the ‘charan paduka’ of a Jain saint was vandalised at a temple here.
Thousands of members of Jain community have been protesting at various places including Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi seeking action against such anti-social elements who are responsible for desecrating the sacred place and its surroundings.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Saturday announced an eight-member task force under the chairpersonship of Bhavnagar District Collector Yogesh Nirgude to resolve the issues around the holy Jain pilgrimage at Palitana.
The other members of the task force include Bhavnagar Range IG Gautam Parmar, Superintendent of Police Ravindra Patel, the Deputy Conservator of Forest, land surveyor, district land office superintendent, and Palitana nagarpalika chief officer. The member-secretary of the task force will be the Palitana sub divisional magistrate.
According to Bhavnagar SP Dr. Ravindra Patel, “a police post has already been set up to boost the security of the Shetrunjay hills and safety of pilgrims. The post has already become operational.” According to Patel they have also detained some people who were involved in anti-social activities. They have asked the court for the arrests of this people.
According to Mamta Lalan, social media influencer working on Jain causes, “Jain is a peaceful community. For the first time in near history, so many people have taken to the streets to register their protest. The protest even had children and aged people. Even those from other communities have supported the protest.”