SC stays Rajasthan HC judgment banning Jain Santhara ritual, seeks explanation from Centre, state on stand

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Rajasthan High Court order in which it had banned the Jain practice of Santhara, or starving oneself to death in order to attain spiritual salvation, India Today has reported.

The apex court has asked the Central government, as well as the Rajasthan government to explain why they oppose the practice, and has given them four weeks to state their respective stands.Earlier this month, a Jain organisation named Sthanakvasi Jain Shravak Sangh, had moved the apex court against the Rajasthan HC's judgment, contending that it was passed without appreciating the philosophy of the religion. According to the petitioners, the High Court made an error in equating Santhara with attempted suicide, while the practice is "a vow taken to purify the soul".On 10 August, the Rajasthan High Court had termed the practice as illegal and said that the practice is not an essential tenet of Jainism. This was in response to a petition filed by an advocate, Nikhil Soni, who challenged the practice, arguing that it was against the right to life. Soni had argued that when euthanasia, Sati and attempted suicide is illegal, the practice of Santhara cannot be held as legal.