Man takes vow as monk; renounces wife, daughter and ₹100cr property
NEEMUCH: Suspense over a Madhya Pradesh-based Jain couple, who hit national headlines for deciding to leave behind a threeyear-old daughter and ₹100 crore in property for monkhood, continued on Saturday after only the husband took his vows and the wife’s ceremony was postponed.
The ceremony was held at V rind a van park in Surat Gujarat under Jain monk A char ya RamlalJiM ah a raj, who christened 35-year old Sumit Rathore as Sumit Muni.
Ramlal said 34-year-old Anamika’s initiation would be held after completion of legal formalities but did not give a specific date.
“This decision was in the best interest of the girl,” said RK Bhandari, a well-known doctor and community leader.
Many had spoken out against the decision and activists even complained to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) arguing that the move amounted to infringement of human rights of their minor daughter Ibhya.
Sumit’s cousin, Sandeep Rathore, who was strongly opposed to the move, told Hindustan Times that local government officials had spoken to community leaders and others on Friday night.
“I am personally very satisfied with the postponement,” he said.
RTI activist Kapil Shukla told Hindustan Times that though he was not privy to activities within the Jain community, the delay in Anamika’sdeekshalikelymeant that it has been delayed for years, at least till her daughter grew up.
Sumit and Anamika had decided to become monks when Ibhya was only eight months old and, as preparation, started living separately.
The couple, who married four years ago, have taken a vow of silence.