Monday, April 28, 2025
10:05 PM
Doha,Qatar
Aradhana Samdhariya

Outcry over death of Indian girl, 13, after 68-day fast

A children's rights group has called for Indian police to arrest the parents of a 13-year-old girl from the minority Jain community who died after observing a religious fast for 68 days.

The girl, Aradhana Samdhariya, died due to cardiac arrest on Oct. 3, a day after her family held a procession in the southern city of Hyderabad in which she rode in a chariot with her parents to celebrate the end of her fast.
The tragedy exploded into the national headlines at the weekend, and raised new questions about whether India's tradition of religious tolerance is failing to protect the most vulnerable.
The girl's parents likely coerced the girl to participate in the ritual of surviving only on water, for a second straight year, the child rights body said in its complaint.
"It is a planned, cruel murder. We have complained to the police to arrest the parents and the priest," P Achyuta Rao, honorary president of Balala Hakkula Sangham, an Andhra Pradesh-based children's rights group, told Reuters on Sunday.
Hyderabad police have registered a so-called First Information Report that marks the initial step in an investigation, and summoned Aradhana's father and grandfather for questioning on Saturday.
"We are booking the case. The investigation shall go on," said the officer handling the case who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The relatives, who were not represented by a lawyer, said in their questioning that Aradhana had wanted to continue her fast for the full 68-day period.
"In fact, in the meantime, they objected also but she didn't listen to them and she was very much interested to continue for 68 days, is what they are saying," the officer said.
Family members have publicly denied forcing the girl to fast during the holy period of Chaumasa, observed by the Jain community from July. About a fifth of India's 1.27 billion people identify themselves as belonging to faiths other than Hinduism.
"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," her grandfather, Manekchand Samdhariya, told news channel NDTV.
Jainism is an ancient religion whose central tenets are non-violence and love to all beings. Jains, who make up around 0.4 percent of the population, typically observe a strict vegetarian diet.
"It is unfortunate that such an incident has occurred. People in responsible positions should take necessary steps to avoid such a situation," Uttam Kumar Reddy, from the opposition Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, told Reuters on Sunday.
The children's NGO, the Balala Hakkula Sangham, gathered photos of the procession on Oct. 2, copies of which it made available to Reuters, as part of the documentation to support its police complaint.
The NGO has also sought government custody of the other two girls in the family, aged seven and five, Rao said.

Comments
  • There are no comments.

Add Comments

B1Details

Latest News

SPORT

Canada's youngsters set stage for new era

Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when you are saying farewell to those that have left a positive impression. That was the case earlier this month when Canada hosted Mexico in a friendly at BC Place stadium in Vancouver.

1:43 PM February 26 2017
TECHNOLOGY

A payment plan for universal education

Some 60mn primary-school-age children have no access to formal education

11:46 AM December 14 2016
CULTURE

10-man Lekhwiya leave it late to draw Rayyan 2-2

Lekhwiya’s El Arabi scores the equaliser after Tresor is sent off; Tabata, al-Harazi score for QSL champions

7:10 AM November 26 2016
ARABIA

Yemeni minister hopes 48-hour truce will be maintained

The Yemeni Minister of Tourism, Dr Mohamed Abdul Majid Qubati, yesterday expressed hope that the 48-hour ceasefire in Yemen declared by the Command of Coalition Forces on Saturday will be maintained in order to lift the siege imposed on Taz City and ease the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged

10:30 AM November 27 2016
ARABIA

QM initiative aims to educate society on arts and heritage

Some 200 teachers from schools across the country attended Qatar Museum’s (QM) first ever Teachers Council at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) yesterday.

10:55 PM November 27 2016
ARABIA

Qatar, Indonesia to boost judicial ties

The Supreme Judiciary Council (SJC) of Qatar and the Indonesian Supreme Court (SCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on judicial co-operation, it was announced yesterday.

10:30 AM November 28 2016
ECONOMY

Sri Lanka eyes Qatar LNG to fuel power plants in ‘clean energy shift’

Sri Lanka is keen on importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar as part of government policy to shift to clean energy, Minister of City Planning and Water Supply Rauff Hakeem has said.

10:25 AM November 12 2016
B2Details
C7Details