Akhilesh flays razing of Jain temple in Mumbai

Lucknow: Accusing the BJP of selectively targeting religious minorities to usurp their land and property, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday expressed serious concern over the recent demolition of a Jain temple in Mumbai.He cited attacks on Jain monks and monasteries in different parts of the country to claim that the Jain community was being singled out in a targeted manner which was highly condemnable."In the prevailing times, being a minority in the country is a curse. Today, a feeling of fear, insecurity and uncertainty which is writ large across the minority Jain community is deeply concerning and is being condemned," Akhilesh wrote in a message addressed to the Jain community that he posted on his official X account.In his message Akhilesh listed the recent targeting of Jain monks and the list included the violent attack on community heads in Singoli (Madhya Pradesh), demolition of Jain temple in Mumbai, controversy around Shri Girnar Ji in Gujarat, Central govt's interference at Shri Sammed Shikhar Ji in Giridih (Jharkhand) and administrative opposition to installation of Jain idol in Baghpat (UP). The list also included a mention of the 2022 killing of Bhawarlal Jain in MP's Neemuch."Why is it that wherever there is a BJP govt, such incidents targeting Jain temples, pilgrimage sites and institutions take place?," he asked. Akhilesh said the BJP has this obsession of going after land. "The problem with the BJP is that wherever they see land, they grab it. They should change their party's name to Bhartiya Jameen Party," he said. Akhilesh said the ‘black farm laws' were aimed at depriving farmers of their agricultural land, Waqf Act eyes land with Muslims and demolition of Jain temple in Mumbai, too, was aimed at grabbing land. Acknowledging the Jain community's philosophy of non-violence, co-existence and compassion, Akhilesh said the community stands as an example of tolerance and morality and contributes significantly to India's rich cultural diversity, economy and education."The former UP CM said the Jain community was a part of the 90% of the population that belongs to the PDA community. He renewed his party's commitment and resolved to stand with the PDA and the Jain community.