Rajasthan HC rules Jain ritual of 'Santhara' to be illegal

The Rajasthan High Court on Monday held Jainism religious ritual of 'Santhara' (fast unto death) as illegal making it punishable under section 306 and 309 IPC (abetment of suicide).

"Santhara or fast unto death is not an essential tenet of Jainism, " the HC said adding it cannot be termed as humane and it's violative of basic human right.

A Public Interest Litigation(PIL) challenging the legality of 'Santhara' was filed in the high court in 2006 by an advocate Nikhil Soni.

The petitioner's lawyer had said 'Santhara', which is fast unto death by giving up food and water, is in violation of the Right to Life. If euthanasia is not allowed, practice of Sati is banned and suicide is illegal, then 'Santhara' cannot be allowed either, he had contended.

Upholding the contention, the division bench of the high court held the practice as violative of human rights.