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Jains only got their due: K Rahman Khan

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Naypadmasagar Maharaj during a seminar at the Birla Matoshree Sabhagriha on Saturday.
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Union minister for minorities K Rahman Khan, on Saturday, said what the Jains had got (minority status), was something that was long due to them.

But another central minister, Pradeep Jain, who spoke before him and was credited with playing a crucial role in helping the community gain the status, was booed down by the Jains when he sought support of the community for the Congress party for ensuring Jains the honour.

"People who cite Article 21 to state that Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists are part of the Hindu community have a wrong argument. As per the Article, it's true that they are not restricted from entering temples, but it is only logical to consider Jains a minority group as they consider themselves to be from a different religion. So, we have not done the Jains a favour by granting them minority status. We have given them what is their due," said Rahman Khan.

However, Pradeep Jain seeking support for his party at the 'Why Jains Minority' event organised on Saturday by the Jain International Organisation, did not go down well with all those present.

Held under the leadership of Naypadmasagar Maharaj, a politically active Jain sadhu, the meeting was also attended by Union minister Milind Deora and Mangal Prabhat Lodha among others.

Naypadmasagar had pitched for Lodha in the last assembly elections. He has also, in the past, openly supported Jain candidates irrespective of their party affiliations. In Saturday's meet, he vouched support for Pradeep Jain.

However, when Pradeep Jain openly solicited support for the Congress, it met with instant opposition from the audience. "This platform is not for carrying out any political agenda. For us this is a religious meeting, and politics should be kept away," said Milan Shah, a businessman.

Organisers of the meet opined that only a handful of people had reacted in a hostile manner to Pradeep Jain's statement.

Pradeep Jain said: "It would be ungrateful if we do not thank or support those who have helped us. On those who booed him, he said: Obviously, there are people in the community who support other parties."

At the meeting Naypadmasagar claimed that Jains had been facing persecution and their temples converted. Tirupati, he claimed, was one such temple. "There is need to check if that is the case with many other temples," he added.

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