AJMER
: Led by Muni Sunil Sagar, members of the Jain community marched barefoot at 6.30am on Tuesday to the 12th-century monument Adhai Din Ka Jhopra, a functioning
mosque
and situated in a densely Muslim-populated area, asserting that it had been their tradition for centuries to offer prayers there.
The site is designated as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Locals objected to the entry of monks, saying that they could not enter the mosque without clothing. The monks argued that it was within their rights as followers of the Jain faith to enter any government building.
The Jain monks were accompanied by leaders of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). They claimed that the site was originally a Sanskrit school before its conversion into a mosque in the 12th century.
During their inspection of the monument, the Jain monks and their followers refrained from entering the main centre of the mosque. Muni Sunil Sagar delivered a ten-minute discourse while seated on a stone platform at the monument.
"Today, I visited Adhai Din Ka Jhopra and discovered that it is not a mere shanty but a palace. I observed many symbols from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. I even found broken statues from the Hindu faith, yet ironically, it is called a mosque," Sagar said while speaking to TOI.
In a viral video lasting 2 minutes and 43 seconds, Muni Sunil Sagar can be seen saying, "Jinki jo vastu hai, jinki jo cheeze hai, wo unke adhikar mein honi chaiye. Agar hamari sabki varshon se dhaarna bani hai ki hum bhi pooja karenge, ibadat karenge, toh karen. Fir isme is type ka mahaul nahi bane, ekadhikar ki cheshta na bane, apan in sab cheezo ki savdhani rakhe (The structure should be under the control of its rightful owners. If it has been our tradition to offer prayers here, so it should be done. It should not lead to the intention of the right of upmanship. We should be careful.)"
He further said, "Jab hum ek doosre ki cheezo par adhikar karne ki koshish karte hai, ya sahi tathyo ko nahi maante hai, toh aapas mein mann-mutao paida hota hai. Hume naram-dili ke sath in baaton ko samajh ke aage badhna hai (When we assert our rights over another's property without acknowledging the facts, it fosters enmity. We must strive for harmony and move forward)."
Speaking to TOI, the monk emphasised, "We must acknowledge rightful ownership over possessions. We also have the right to worship, and no one holds a monopoly over such rights. History evolves, and so do circumstances." He further emphasised, "Religion teaches us kindness, love, and non-violence."
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