Rajkot Jain groups lock horns in turf war

Rajkot Jain groups lock horns in turf war
PARAG DAVE

RAJKOT, JAN 13: Two groups of Shwetambar Jains -- the Gondal Sampradaya and the Limbdi Sampradaya - have locked horns in a turf war in Rajkot. The Gondal Sampradaya, which considers Kathiawad its territory, is agitating against the decision of the Limbdi Sampradaya, which is based in Surendrangar district, to set up a centre in Rajkot.

While leaders of the Gondal Sampradaya allege that the Limbdi Sampradaya's foray into its area is aimed at creating divisions among the Jains, the latter denies any such motive and says it only wants to set up a centre for old and sick monks.

For the last five days, more than 20 Jain sadhvis of the Gondal Sampradaya have been sitting on a fast at the Sardaranagar Jain Upashraya here. The Sampradaya supporters also held a dharna on Tuesday and threatened to launch an agitation if the Limbdi Sampradaya did not drop its plan.

Namramuni Maharaj of Gondal Sampradaya alleged that the Limbdi Sampradaya was ``playing dirty'' and that it wanted to create friction in the communityby setting up a centre at Rajkot. He added that they would not allow this to happen. The Maharaj said they had tried to sort the issue through talks, but that they did not receive any positive response.

Artiben Mahasatiji, one of the fasting sadhvis, said the protest would continue till the Limdi Sampradaya agreed not to go ahead with its proposed plan. The Gondal Sampradaya has also started a signature campaign in the community and is contacting other sects to seek their support in their ``non-violent agitation''.

But Limbdi Sampradaya head Dolarbhai Kothari said they would go ahead with their plan, adding that they only wanted to set up a centre for old and sick monks and that there was nothing wrong in it. They had built such centres in many other cities of the state, he said.