Three-Year-Old Dies in Jain Santhara Ritual

On March 21, a three-year-old girl named Viyana Jain from Indore, terminally ill with a brain tumor, died after her parents, following advice from Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj, initiated her into the Jain ritual of Santhara—a voluntary fast unto death. The ritual, recognized by the Golden Book of World Records in this case, drew national attention and condemnation from child rights advocates and medical professionals, who argue Santhara is meant for fully conscious adults. The Supreme Court has stayed a Rajasthan High Court ruling that declared Santhara a form of suicide, leaving its legal status in flux. Local police and administration were reportedly unaware of the event, raising questions about oversight. The case has reignited debate over the ethics and legality of involving minors in religious death rituals, especially where consent and capacity are concerned. Broader discussions continue about the intersection of religious freedom, parental authority, and child rights in India.