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1921
Monks 'Dilemma
Monks' Dilemma
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Manu Vedanti, "We should teach them such a lesson that they do not dare to challenge our institutions in future. We should file defamation suits against them in a court of law. We may go to the Supreme Court straight as the matter is so important and urgent. We have better resources, financial and others than they have. We can also ask our followers to manhandle them physically to such an extent that they will not forget it all their life time."
Priest Sadanand, "I am afraid this will never happen. They are die hard opponents. Of course I agree that we should rectify our short comings. I endorse the first suggestion of Manu Vedanti that we shall take non-violent legal action which is the right of everyone aggrieved."
Acharya Vinay, "We shall consult local lawyers initially and may then hire top ones if the filing of legal suit is feasible. I shall call some prominent lawyers of Udaipur tomorrow at 11.a.m. I request you to be here in time."
The next day the scenario changed abruptly. Everybody came with bundles of news papers flashing the news of proceedings reported on front pages. Lawyers opined that they need time to be able to give their legal advice. Acharya Vinay consoled everybody, "We were late. But we should not be despondent. We shall consult lawyers and take appropriate action."
They all left with a heavy heart, dejected, vanquished and in a sombre melancholy mood.
Acharya Vinay, "I do not agree with your second suggestion that they should be physically harmed by instigating our followers to resort to violence. This will only defame us more than they have done. We shall consult senior lawyers about your suggestion that we should take legal action. I have faced legal challenges while initiating adolescents in monkhood. We hired best of the lawyers, but cases are still pending in courts. The point is that there is no substantial ground. They have neither defamed any nor uttered a single word that is defamatory. They have relied on scriptures that give more importance to action (Karma) than devotion (Bhakti). They have cited instances which cannot be overlooked easily. The unique principle of Anekant' in Jainism ordains that views of others should also be considered as there may be some truth in their point of view also. We should have a positive attitude. Instead of taking legal action or inflicting physical harm we should analyse and find if something has gone wrong and there is really some degeneration over time in our functioning and then let us decide to set it right. I am confident that this will have a lasting effect and the people of their kind will not only be silenced for ever but these very people will become our supporters and followers."
