The Rajasthan High Court on Monday banned Jain ritual of ‘Santhara’ making it punishable under section 306 and 309 IPC (Abetment of Suicide). According to the court, “Santhara or fast unto death not essential tenet of Jainism.”

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the legality of Santhara was filed in the HC in 2006.

According to the PIL, the ritual of Santhara which is fast unto death by giving up food and water is in violation of the Right to Life. If euthanasia isn’t allowed, practice of Sati is banned and suicide is illegal, Santhara cannot be allowed either.

On the other hand, the community lawyers had argued that Santhara is a spiritual practice since times immemorial which the court must not interfere with.

This practice also goes by the name ‘Sallekhana Vruta.’ On an average, 240 Jains practice Sallekhana until death each year, stated by Press Trust of India.