Jain body wants Modi govt dismissed

New Delhi: Agitated over amendment passed in Gujarat Assembly to include Jainism into the Hindu fold, Jain religious leaders on Wednesday demanded immediate dismissal of the state government and asked community members to relinquish posts held by them in BJP, if needed.

"We appeal to the honourable President, Prime Minister and the Home Minister to dismiss the Gujarat government which has blatantly gone against the spirit of the Constitution," the All India Digamber Jain (Dharam Sanrakshini) Mahasabha said in a statement.

The Mahasabha also appealed to Gujarat Governor Naval Kishore Sharma not to give his assent to the Bill and refer it to President A P J Abdul Kalam as it violates Article 25 of Constitution.

"Members of the Jain community holding posts in BJP should use their office to influence upon the party leaders to reverse the Gujarat decision and also relinquish their posts if so required," it said.

Jain leader Acharya Merubhushan will begin a fast-unto-death in Delhi on October three to oppose the new legislation, Bimal Jain, President of the Mahasabha, said.