Indian Supreme Court Stays Order Criminalizing Extreme Religious Fasting
The Indian Supreme Court stayed an order from the Rajasthan High Court that would have made the practice of Santhara, or voluntarily fasting to death practiced by the Jains, a crime. The Rajasthan High Court claimed that there was no dignity in the practice and it was basically a way to commit suicide, which is illegal in the country. The Jains argued that it was a protected religious practice. Even though, the Supreme Court stayed the order, it said that it would take the case up for consideration sometime later on. However, because of the complexity of the issues, it is believed that a conclusion on the matter will take several years.
