Don't interfere. That was the defiant response of the Jain Kothari Sangh to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) when they met on Wednesday to discuss the sangh’s appointment of eight-year-old Priyal as a sadhvi in March.
The sangh said it would not tolerate outside interference in their religious affairs, and that Priyal was not covered by the CWC’s jurisdiction.
The committee — a state-appointed body with magisterial powers set up to adjudicate in matters of ‘children in need of care and protection’ — is now formulating a legal response to justify its authority to intervene.
Sangh members would not speak but Prakash Jhaberi, Managing Trustee of Jain Shvetambara Murtipujak Mahamandal, an umbrella body of sanghs, argued: ‘‘The girl’s case is not covered by a single provision in the Act. The CWC and child rights organisations should drop the issue.’’
Aspects of the case remained shrouded given the absence of Priyal’s parents — residents of Madhya Pradesh — as well as the Malad police, despite CWC summons. The child was also not present. ‘‘She is in Pune now with her guru. If she has to come before the CWC, she will have to walk the whole way as per our rules,’’ said Jhaberi.
Asked whether the girl’s rights were not being violated, he said: ‘‘She will have a better life and education inside the sangh’’.