Petition in HC seeking review of its order against Santhara

A petition has been filed in the Rajasthan High Court seeking a review of the August 10 order directing the state to book Jain community members for attempting suicide if they resort to the ritual of Santhara (fast unto death).
The application, filed a week ago, has been moved by one P C Bhandari claiming to be a follower of Jain religion.
The Rajasthan High Court had on August 10 held 'Santhara' as illegal making it punishable under section 306 and 309 IPC (abetment of suicide).
"Santhara or fast unto death is not an essential tenet of Jainism, " the HC had said adding it cannot be termed as humane and it's violative of basic human right.

A Public Interest Litigation(PIL) challenging the legality of 'Santhara' was filed in the high court in 2006 by an advocate Nikhil Soni.
The petitioner's lawyer had said 'Santhara', which is fast unto death by giving up food and water, is in violation of the Right to Life.

If euthanasia is not allowed, practice of Sati is banned and suicide is illegal, then 'Santhara' cannot be allowed either, he had contended.
Upholding the contention, the division bench of the high court had held the practice as violative of human rights.
However, members of Jain community hit the streets across the country today protesting for the right to take part in Santhara.