Hyderabad: During the holy days of ‘Chaumasa‘, A 13-year-old girl in Hyderabad died due to cardiac arrest, last week after fasting for 68 days as per Jain customs, according to reports.
Aradhana, a student of class 8th , was hospitalised just two days after ending her fast where she expired due to cardiac arrest, the family said.
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At least 600 people visited Aradhana’s funeral honoring her as a ‘Bal Tapasvi‘. The funeral parade was announced a ‘Shobha yatra‘ – a sign of celebration.
Questions are being asked why they supported her to give up school and sit on a fast.
Sources close to the Aradhana’s family stated that she had previously undertaken a related fast for 41 days.
“We did not hide anything. Everyone knew Aradhana was fasting. They came and took selfies with her. Now some people are pointing fingers at us for allowing her to fast for 68 days,” Aradhana’s grandfather, Manekchand Samdhariya said.
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Newspaper ads published after the girl performed the 68 days long fast show, Telangana minister, Padma Rao Goud, was the chief guest on the occasion for ‘Paarana’– the conclusion of fast.
As per the Jain religious heads, Santhara is ordinarily proposed for elderly personalities, who have experienced their life and want renunciation.
Children rights activist Shanta Sinha stated that the police case must be enrolled and the child rights commission should take some serious action.
”A minor is not deemed to have a voluntary will to take decisions that can endanger their life. Religious leaders also need to re-look at what should be allowed and what is not,” she said