Moodbidri: The precious idols that are cast in 5 metals are ancient that are stolen from Jain Basadi, here, which has historical, national and global significance. Its value cannot be measured in terms of money, but has greater religious significance. The Jain pilgrims from across the nation and overseas arrive at the Basadi here which is famed as Jain Kashi of south India.
The state government has the responsibility to protect all the worship centers regardless of faith, said Swami Charukirti Bhattaraka who returned here on Monday July morning, after abruptly discontinuing his US tour, soon after knowing the burglary at the Basadi.
Addressing the media persons, here on Monday July 8 afternoon, Swami Charukirti Bhattaraka said that India has huge religious wealth, while it is the responsibility of governments to protect them. The burglary in Jain Basadi here is a warning to all worship centers across the nation. The burglars are increasingly looting the precious religious objects all so easily, said Swami Bhattaraka.
Swami Bhattaraka urged the police authorities to nab the accused and punish them despite their political leverage. The burglary in Jain Kashi at Moodbidri has indeed caused distress among the followers, added Swami Bhattaraka.
Swami Bhattaraka further said that the attempts to rob the precious religious objects are being carried out in the past. Meanwhile, it is the first time that such a enormous burglary has taken place this time. The precious idols date back to 2 to 3 century that has greater historical and religious significance. It is believed that these idols were donated to Jain Basadi when Bhadrabahu sages arrived in south India, when north India was reeling under 12-year famine during the reign of Chandra Gupta. It was protected in the basement of the Basadi.
Swami Bhattaraka urged the district police authorities to strengthen the police force as the higher police officer acknowledged that police power seems weaker owing to the power exercised by underworld mafia in the coastal district. He also acknowledged the duty-consciousness of police force. It is a fact that the police department finds it difficult to provide adequate security to key worship centers, owing to lack of personnel in police force. A burglary attempt was reported in a house located nearby the Basadi that was reported to the state minister Abayachandra Jain who instructed the police to provide adequate security, said Swami Bhattaraka.
“Both the state and union governments were plead to trace the stolen precious idols and nab the accused. Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) officials assured of making necessary security arrangements,” said Swami Bhattaraka. He further said, “the Basadi was safe during that era. It has the ancient Dhawala Granth, a text of most contemporary Jainism, while it is the key responsibility of security agencies to protect from burglars and plunderers,” said Swami Bhattaraka who express to take a decision in this regard after holding a meeting with Jain leaders in the Basadi on Monday evening.
Probe intensified:
The investigation teams are formed at the direction of SP Manish Karbikar led by ACP Ravi in this regard. The similarities are being found in the recent burglaries in Karkal and Udupi during May and June, wherein the burglars used gas cutters to get entry into the premises. The manhunt has been laid to nab the accused at the earliest.