The spirit of ‘Ahimsa Parmo Dharma’ is more relevant today than ever: CM Nayab Singh Saini

Chief Minister extends greetings to the people on Akshaya Tritiya and Varshitapa Parana festival

CM lays foundation stone of first floor of Piyush Block Hospital in Karnal; also inaugurates two bird towers and a Jeev Seva Kendra

Chandigarh, April 19 – Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the core principle of Jainism— "Ahimsa Parmo Dharma" (non-violence is the highest duty)—is more relevant today than ever. Amid global conflicts, wars, and violence, it conveys a message of peace and compassion. He stated that the Varshi Tap Parna festival of this religion is especially inspiring for the youth, as it teaches the importance of self-discipline and patience. If the younger generation adopts these values, it will lead not only to their personal growth but also to the progress of society and the nation.

The Chief Minister was addressing a special religious gathering as the chief guest at Shri Atma Manohar Jain Aradhana Mandir in Karnal. On this occasion, he laid the foundation stone of the first floor of Piyush Block Hospital and inaugurated two bird towers and a Jeev Seva Kendra. He also interacted with patients admitted in the hospital and offered prayers at the temple of Lord Ghantakarna Mahavir. During the event, he also honoured social workers.

On this occasion, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that today is Akshaya Tritiya, the birth anniversary of Lord Parshuram, and also the Varshitapa Parana festival. Lord Rishabh Dev concluded his 400-day fast with sugarcane juice. Extending heartfelt greetings to the people of the state on these auspicious occasions, he said that the Varshitapa Parana festival is being celebrated at the Aradhana Mandir. This place holds great significance in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions and is a revered shrine of the powerful deity Ghantakarna Mahavir. It also houses the sacred site of Osian Mata and the samadhi temple of Gurudev Manohar Muni, which is a centre of deep faith. Regular spiritual camps are organized here to guide people in the art of living.

He added that this festival is being celebrated in the land of Mahaveer Danveer Karna, known for his generosity and firm vows. The spiritual vibrations of Karna are still present in this land, as reflected in the many devoted and charitable individuals present here. He said that he always draws inspiration from the social service institutions of Karnal.

Sh. Saini stated that under the able leadership of the Prime Minister, India is progressing continuously while also reviving and promoting its rich cultural heritage globally. Over the past 11 years, several historic initiatives have been undertaken for cultural preservation and revival. Referring to the construction of the grand Ram Temple, the development of the Mahakaleshwar Corridor, and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, he said these are results of visionary leadership. He also mentioned the renovation of the sacred site in Kurukshetra where Lord Krishna delivered the message of the Bhagavad Gita. He said that the Prime Minister is not only building a modern India but also working towards making it a Vishwa Guru by following the teachings of sages and saints.

The Chief Minister emphasized that Jainism places great importance on penance and renunciation. A follower undergoes rigorous discipline for 14 years to become a monk. The Varshitapa holds a special place in this tradition, symbolizing purification, restraint, and sacrifice. Jainism has guided humanity towards the right path for centuries. He also appreciated the contributions of Sant Gaurav Piyush Muni Maharaj in fields like education, healthcare, nation-building, compassion for living beings, and environmental protection.

He said that Jainism has historically flourished in Haryana, with regions like Gurugram, Rohtak, Faridabad, Bhiwani, and Hisar deeply influenced by Jain culture thousands of years ago. Archaeological findings such as inscriptions and idols of Tirthankaras support this. Even today, Jain temples and religious centers are present across the state, and the Jain community has significantly contributed to its development. The government is committed to respecting and promoting all religions. To ensure that economically weaker elderly devotees are not deprived of pilgrimage opportunities, the government has launched the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana. Under this scheme, a train will be sent from Kurukshetra to Nanded Sahib on May 5.

On this occasion, Piyush Muni Ji Maharaj said that Akshaya Tritiya is not just a date in the Indian calendar but symbolizes the pinnacle of sacrifice, penance, and charity. True spirituality is not limited to material comforts or outward appearances; it lies in awakening the inner light and serving humanity.

He explained that Lord Rishabhdev performed continuous penance for 12 months. At that time, people were unaware of the proper method of offering alms. Even though he was a king, when he went for alms, people offered him valuables like silver, pearls, and precious items, which he did not accept. After a long period of 12 months, his grandson Shreyans Kumar, guided by divine inspiration, offered him sugarcane juice as food, thereby concluding his penance.

This incident teaches the value of selfless charity and timely service. He also highlighted the astrological importance of Akshaya Tritiya, stating that unlike other dates that fluctuate with the lunar cycle, the merit earned on this day never diminishes, making it highly auspicious for all good deeds.

On this occasion, Indri MLA Sh. Ramkumar Kashyap, Karnal MLA Sh. Jagmohan Anand, Assandh MLA Sh. Yogender Rana, and other dignitaries were present.

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*Congress creates pretence in the name of providing reservations to women*

Chandigarh, April 19 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Opposition recently obstructed the passage of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in Parliament, thereby hindering women’s rights. He alleged that Congress has so far only engaged in pretence in the name of providing reservations to women, without taking concrete steps in this direction.

The Chief Minister was addressing a Press Conference at Rohtak on Sunday. West Delhi MP, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, BJP State President, Sh. Mohan Lal Kaushik and other dignitaries were present.

The Chief Minister said that on April 16 and 17, the Opposition opposed the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ Bill in Parliament, thereby undermining women's rights. He said that what happened in Parliament was not only undemocratic but also a significant setback to the future of half of the country’s population. The incident has exposed the true face of opposition parties such as Congress, Samajwadi Party, TMC and DMK.

He alleged that these parties have once again demonstrated their anti-women mindset and political opportunism when it comes to granting rights to women.

The Chief Minister said that it was a historic opportunity to ensure constitutional rights for women, but the Opposition sacrificed it for narrow political interests.

He said that on April 16, 2026, the Central Government introduced three revolutionary Bills in the Lok Sabha—The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill. The objective behind these Bills was clear: Under the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, reservation for women was to be implemented after the Census and delimitation process post-2026. However, the Central Government recognised that waiting for the Census and a lengthy delimitation exercise would have delayed the benefits of 33 percent reservation for women even in the 2029 general elections.

He said Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi took a bold decision to delink reservation from the Census condition so that women could get 33 per cent reservation in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections itself. He reiterated that women’s participation is not a matter of charity but a matter of right, and accused the Opposition of betraying half the population.

The Chief Minister questioned the Opposition’s stance and said that these parties fear women’s empowerment as it would challenge their dynastic politics. He alleged that Congress formed committees and delayed decisions for years without granting actual rights to women. Whereas, the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi ensured respect to women through the legislation.

He further said that misinformation was spread in the name of delimitation, claiming certain states would be disadvantaged. However, Union Home Minister, Sh. Amit Shah clarified in Parliament that no state’s representation would be reduced and that seat increases would be balanced. Despite this, Opposition leaders continued to mislead the public, he added.

The Chief Minister further said that when India’s population was 54 crore in 1971, Lok Sabha seats were fixed at 550, whereas today the population has reached around 140 crore. Therefore, increasing the number of seats to 850 is necessary for fair representation. He clarified that the Centre’s model proposes a uniform 50 per cent increase in seats across states, ensuring no region suffers any loss. For example, the current share of South Indian states is 23.76 percent, which would increase to 23.87 percent under this new model. Tamil Nadu's seats were to increase from 39 to 59, and Karnataka's from 28 to 42.

He alleged that Opposition parties opposed the Bills only to divert attention and raised unconstitutional demands such as religion-based reservation. He also accused Congress of adopting a double standard, citing past instances like the Shah Bano case.

The Chief Minister said that historically, Congress politics has been driven by delay and obstruction, and has opposed several key reforms including the Triple Talaq law, abrogation of Article 370, discussions on Uniform Civil Code, One Nation One Election, electoral roll purification, Waqf reforms and the Citizenship Amendment Act.

He warned the opposition that women of the country would not forgive attempts to politicise their rights and said that from villages to cities, women are already leading across sectors. He questioned why the Opposition fears their participation in Parliament. The Opposition has not merely opposed a single Bill, but has attempted to crush the aspirations of women across the country.

He said that by obstructing the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the Opposition has undermined democratic values and dignity. He asserted that women will respond strongly through their votes in the future.

While responding to a question from media, the Chief Minister said that although the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was passed in 2023, its implementation was linked to constitutional processes like Census and delimitation, which were scheduled earlier. He reiterated the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment.

Responding to another question regarding crop lifting in mandis, the Chief Minister said that all necessary arrangements have been made and assured that farmers will not face any inconvenience.

MP, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, the Centre introduced three Bills on April 16, 2026, to strengthen the implementation of the Act. This historic Act, passed by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, provided for 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

She added that the government also decided to include caste-based data in the Census, which could delay the process.The Government introduced three amended Bills in Parliament with the primary objective of ensuring that women receive the benefit of 33 percent reservation in the 2029 general elections by separating the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam from the delimitation process. She accused the Opposition of being anti-women and said the public will respond accordingly in the future.