sects against the state's alleged development plans for Shikharji. Jains opposed the plans of the state government to improve the infrastructure on the site of the hill in order to boost tourism as alleged attempts to commercialize the Shikharji hill. The movement demanded that Shikharji Hill be declared officially a place of worship by the Government of Jharkhand. On 26 October 2018, the Government of Jharkhand issued an official memorandum declaring the Shikharji hill as a 'place of worship'. In December 2022, Jains carried out massive protests and a one-day nationwide strike against the rule by the Government of Jharkhand to tag Shikharji as a place of tourism. In January 2023, the Central government halted all tourism development activities on Parasnath Hills. Jharkhand's autochthonous communities, such as the Adivasis Santals (of the Sarna faith), also began a counter-protest to re-assert their ancestral religious rights, which include animal sacrifices in Marang Buru. The Adivasi Sengel Abhiyan (ASA) launched 'Marang Buru Bachao Bharat Yatra' in order to curtail "Jain hegemony" over the region. Gallery See also List of Jain temples Tirth Pat Nirvana Kanda References Citation Sources Books Web External links Jain temples in Jharkhand Buildings and structures in Jharkhand Tourist attractions in Jharkhand Cities and towns in Giridih district Holy cities Religion in Jharkhand Jain pilgrimage sites