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LEGACY OF JAINS AND ITS IMPACT ON MAHARASHTRA: A STUDY
JAIN MINORITY ISSUE:
Jain Chaturvidhasangh has shown adaptability to the varied surrounding maintaining of its own principles of living at the centre, in way unity in diversity. It is fact that Jains are in microscopic minority, but after 1990's they have been overlooked. In 1990's Hindutva forces started provoking attacks on the minority communities. The Jain community also became a scapegoat of Hindutva politics and was compelled to take up a legal struggle for its sustained existence. The notification dated 23rd October 1993, issued by Social Welfare Ministry that the Jain community is not mentioned in the list of minorities. Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha to safeguard the interests of the Jain minority community gave legal fight with Govt. but till decision is awaiting (Patil 2010: 30).
Jain religion and its pious followers became victims of evil elements in today's society leading to the killing of Sadhus' and Sadhwis' during their vihar (Dec. 2012). It might be an attempt to ruin Jain religion but good came out of bad is that it has led unity of Shwetambar and Digambar through Dakshin Bharat Jain Sabha and Shwetambar organizations in the areas of Sangli and Kolhapur districts. It also underlines the need to preserve the minority status of Jains.
FURTHER AREAS OF RESEARCH:
Though Jains have produced lot of written material in various languages but so many years these treasures remained untouched and custody of temple authorities or Bhattarakas. Jain Shwetambar material is not available easily for researcher. So, academicians must concentrate on comparative study and development of Jains taking the periods of Indian History into consideration.
Authentic literature on Jain women problems, customs, traditions are not easily available because much research work has not taken place in various universities of Maharashtra. While constructing the temples wealthy people should direct their money towards research of Jain community for the coming generations. There is an ample scope for researchers and academicians to explore in this field and thereby to contribute to achieve the world peace by maintaining harmonious relations.
Many religions took birth in India. Muslims and Christians are outsiders but they had their firm roots here. Their contribution to culture of Maharashtra in various forms is visible. There was harmony and culture tolerance between the followers of different religions. Of course, there were religious disturbances, still at glance the architectural monuments have survived and different religions flourished and survived in the Maharashtra from ancient times to till today.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Jain in their individual and collective capacities did make substantial and noteworthy contributions to political, social and especially economic progress of Maharashtra.
Jain religion has a glorious past centuries before and its legacy is ubiquitously visible in all spheres of life. Jain Philosophy of life, its guiding principles and unique life-style are the vibrant elements of Jain culture.
Jain legacy is seen in different forms- Chaturvidhsangh and their life Style; Jain literature,
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