Parents investigated after Jain girl dies from 68-day fast

Indian police are investigating the parents of a 13-year-old girl who died last week after undertaking a religious fast for 68 days. Police in southern Hyderabad city said they want to know if Aradhana Samdariya was forced to fast. Her parents have insisted she voluntarily fasted as prescribed in Jainism, one of the world’s most […]

Indian police are investigating the parents of a 13-year-old girl who died last week after undertaking a religious fast for 68 days.
Police in southern Hyderabad city said they want to know if Aradhana Samdariya was forced to fast.
Her parents have insisted she voluntarily fasted as prescribed in Jainism, one of the world’s most ancient religions. The case has sparked a debate about the practice of religious fasting in India.
Reports said Aradhana lived for 68 days on boiled water. Two days after she called off her fast last week, she was dead.
Experts believe it is possible for the human body to survive without food for up to two months.
A police spokesperson said a case had been registered against the parents after a child rights organisation filed a complaint.
“The parents – Laxmi Chand and Manshi Samdariya – have been booked under culpable homicide [causing death by negligence] and Juvenile Justice Act [cruelty against minors],” the spokesperson said.