‘Intellectual Property Right is a social crime’

"There was a time when knowledge was imparted freely. Unfortunately, today, knowledge has become highly commercialised," lamented Srimad Acharya Vijay Yugbhushan Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb also known as Pandit Maharaja, while inaugurating the Jyot exhibition.

The Acharya was addressing the devotees and knowledge seekers who flocked the 11-day exhibition presenting fundamental knowledge of Jainism in scientific manner, at SG Highway on Saturday. 

"No intellectual property rights (IPR) or patent or royalty was demanded by the past generations for imparting traditional knowledge. However, today people demand patent and royalty for the innovations which is not very different from the traditional knowledge," said Pandit Maharaja. He also added that intellectual property right is a social exploitation of society. According to Pandit Maharaja the aim of organising the exhibition is to spread knowledge about the fundamentals of the Jainism.

'Jyot' showcases the various stages of development of the mankind. "The exhibition is not for entertainment but for the enlightenment of mankind," said Pandit Maharaja.

Panyas Shilratnasurishwarji Maharaj Saheb, who was also present in the exhibition said, "Lack of knowledge is mother of all kind of sins in the world." The Jain community should organise such exhibitions at least once in two or three years, he added.