Jains send notice over N-submarine name

Five days after India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine was inaugurated, a member of the Jain community has sent a legal notice to the Centre. The notice, addressed to the chief secretary of Union of India on July 27, is sent by Mumbai-based Ashok Bhikamchand Jain.

Ashok Jain said, “The word ‘Arihant’ reflects all the beliefs of the Jain dharma. It is highly revered and indicates a win over anger, lust, greed, and violence. Non-violence is the essence of our religion and submarine stands for everything it is not.” The notice, sent by advocate Mahendra Jain says, “My client takes strong objection to the naming and calls upon you to reconsider the naming for the sake of Jain religion.”

The community has decided to put up handbills signed by five senior most monks in every Jain temple. It requests Jains to write to the PM and defence minister. “We have sent requests to the Centre. If the issue is not resolved peacefully however, we will support community members who will move court on it,” said Suryodayasagar Suriswarji Maharaj, the senior most monk in Mumbai based in Aadeswar Temple, Walkeshwar.