HYDERABAD: An FIR (First Information Report) has been lodged into the death of a 13 year old Aradhana who recently died after observing fast for 68 days. The FIR was lodged against Aradhana's parents Laxmi Chand and Manshi, following a complaint lodged by Balala Hakkula Sangham president Achuta Rao. The complainant alleged that the girl's parents had forced her to take up 'Chaturmas', a Jain tradition that is believed to bring good luck to the family. "Her parents Laxmi Chand and Manshi and other community members forced the girl to undergo a fasting because their jewellery business was not doing well and now they are saying their jewellery business is good because of her fast," Achuta Rao said.
Refuting the contentions, the girl's father Laxmi Chand said, "No father wants his daughter to die. She had performed this ritual earlier too, but her body reacted differently this time. She had observed a fast for 34 days last year, and it was her decision to fast for 68 days. This was not something done in the sly. This was her personal devotion and we did not force her to do so. If we had forced her to do this, we would not have done in front of the whole world, but silently at our home."
The girl reportedly died on October 2. Aradhana was admitted to the hospital, two days after she completed her fast, where she died of cardiac arrest. Her funeral was attended by over 600 people, all who hailed her as a 'bal tapasvi'. The procession was called a 'shobha yatra', a mark of celebration. Child Rights activists have demanded an inquiry and action against those responsible for her death.
