Jain Couple, Sumit and Anamika Rathore beome Monks
An individual earns money not only for his own living but for his family as well. On the other hand, there are people who are ready to kill one another for money. But just imagine, sacrificing a ₹100 crore property, a 3-year-old daughter, and all the worldly affairs to get into the monkhood. It happened in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh where a Jain couple has decided to leave their property and daughter behind to become monks.
JAIN COUPLE BECOME MONKS
Sumit Rathore, a 34-year-old Businessman, and Owner of the property valued at ₹100 crores took the Initiation Ceremony at Vrindavan Park in Surat, Gujarat on September 23 under Jain monk Acharya Ramlal Ji Maharaj. Acharya Ramlal Ji rechristened Sumit Rathore as Sumit Muni.
Consequently, just two days after Sumit became a monk, his 34-year-old wife Anamika Rathore too became a sadhvi on September 25.
Anamika Rathore performing the processions, Image Courtesy: Dayafter India
Akhil Bharatiya Sadhumargi Jain Shravak Sangh Neemuch District In-Charge Sandeep Khabia said that Acharya Ramlal Ji Maharaj led Anamika’s function as well in Surat. Only the immediate family was present at the ceremony, although the ceremony was not as elaborate. After the ceremony, Anamika is now Sadhvi Anakaar.
Anamika’s initiation was not an easy process as her husband’s. Her ceremony processed after the completion of legal formalities regarding the security of the 3-year-old daughter Ibhya.
THE DECISION
Last week, the couple decided to become monks under the ‘Shwetambar’ (White-Clad) order of their religion. But the couple, married for four years now, took the decision when Ibhya was only eight months old. Since then, they were living separately.
Jain Couple, Sumit and Anamika Rathore become Monks
Their shocked community opposed and criticized the couple for leaving a young child. Some social activists also wrote to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Sadhvi Anakaar answered Police and administrative officials who questioned her under the orders of the NHRC. She presented her child’s adoption papers before the officials saying,
My child will not become an orphan if I leave her. My brother and sister-in-law who are issueless have gladly adopted her. My father’s family is rich and so is my father-in-law’s family. The charges leveled by public representatives and others who had complained to the NHRC are false and had been done to get cheap publicity.
Saint Udai Muni who is the highest in the Jain hierarchy said no judicial or administrative power in the country could interfere in religious affairs of the minorities. The couple has now taken a vow of silence.
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