New Delhi, India (TEH) – In a show of unity and determination, a substantial gathering of Jain community members converged at Jantar Mantar in the heart of Delhi on Monday. Their purpose: to protest against the heinous murder of Acharya Shree Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj, a revered Jain monk hailing from Karnataka. Emphasizing the gravity of the crime, the demonstrators fervently demanded a thorough investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), putting aside any partisan politics in their pursuit of justice.
The lifeless body of Acharya Shree Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj was tragically discovered earlier this month in the Belagavi district of Karnataka. His remains were found grotesquely dismembered, scattered within a well located in the Chikkodi taluk. Authorities swiftly apprehended two suspects, according to the Economic Times, in connection with the crime, pointing to a possible motive rooted in a financial dispute.
Addressing the impassioned crowd at Jantar Mantar, Jain monk Charukirti Swami underscored the non-partisan nature of their protest, affirming that their collective aspiration was for all political parties to unite and collaborate in the pursuit of justice. “We do not stand against any specific political party,” Swami declared, “but rather implore them to work together to secure justice for the entire Jain community.”
Jinendra Kumar Jain, another vocal participant in the demonstration, voiced his discontent with the Congress government in Karnataka, asserting a lack of support in the aftermath of Maharaj’s brutal slaying. “We are here today, protesting the killing of Maharaj,” Jain expressed, “demanding justice not just for one life, but for the entire Jain community.” Among the protesters stood BJP Rajya Sabha member Anil Jain, who echoed the call for a CBI investigation into the gruesome murder, advocating for the safeguarding of monks and saints within the Congress-ruled Karnataka.
The relentless search for Acharya Shree Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj, who had been reported missing, concluded with the recovery of his dismembered body parts from an abandoned borewell in a field at Katakabavi, located in the Raibag taluk of Belagavi district. Reacting to the shocking incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his dismay, promptly instructing police officials to conduct a meticulous investigation that would lead to the culprits facing justice through the court system. While Siddaramaiah’s administration dismissed the need for a CBI inquiry, he emphasized the importance of strict action against the accused. Narayana Basappa Madi and Hassan Dalayath, two individuals suspected of involvement, have since been arrested by the authorities. Law enforcement agencies suspect that financial matters may have been the underlying motive for the heinous crime.
With the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fiercely criticizing the Congress-led government in Karnataka since the incident, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar issued scathing remarks last week, alleging that the state is transforming into a “safe haven” for both criminal elements and those promoting communal disharmony. Chandrasekhar further claimed that the state police exhibited promptness in their response only after repeated protests orchestrated by the BJP.
#WATCH | Massive protest by members of the Jain community in Belagavi's Chikodi against the murder of a Jain monk in Karnataka
The Jain community is demanding the safety of Jain monks in the state and the arrest of the accused in the case of the murder of a Jain monk pic.twitter.com/2ikQBgdbWz
— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2023
The Jain community’s powerful demonstration at Jantar Mantar seeks to amplify their collective voice, demanding justice for Acharya Shree Kamakumara Nandi Maharaj and protection for the revered spiritual leaders of their faith. Their impassioned plea for a CBI investigation into this distressing murder serves as a reminder of the imperative to uphold the sanctity of life and ensure that justice prevails, irrespective of political affiliations. As the community’s rallying cry reverberates across the nation, it remains to be seen whether their demands will be heeded, leading to a comprehensive investigation and an end to the culture of impunity surrounding such egregious crimes.
