Billionaire Jain couple of MP renounces world to become monks
What's the story
A billionaire Jain couple from MP's Neemuch has made headlines after announcing their decision to leave behind their property and three-year-old daughter to become monks. Sumit Rathore and wife Anamika will take deeksha, the first step into monkhood, in Surat on September 23. Ibhya, their daughter, will be looked after by her maternal grandfather Ashok Chadaliya, a former district president of BJP.
History
Everyone's shocked because the family had "everything going well"
The Rathore family is well-established in Bhopal's politics and business. Anamika was Neemuch's first gold medallist in Class 8 examinations. She worked at Hindustan Zinc before marriage. Meanwhile, Sumit worked in London for two years before returning and managing the family business: sack production. "He had everything that a man wanted," said Sumit's cousin Sandeep. "But he chose to renounce everything. We are stunned."
Religion
It's been a long and difficult journey
The development isn't news for the family: when Ibhya was eight months old, both had expressed their desire to become monks. As preparation, they had been living separately. On August 22, Sumit announced his final decision. Acharya Ramlal of Surat asked him to take Anamika's permission. She agreed and decided the same for herself. Now they are undergoing a vow of silence.
Cases
The Jain practice of adopting monkhood has often raised eyebrows
According to a community member, "This is the first time that such a young couple is taking deeksha." However, Gujarat 2017 Class XII topper Varshil Shah shocked all by renouncing the world and adopting monkhood a few weeks after the results. Last October, 13-year-old Aradhana Samdariya died less than three days after she ended a ritual 68-day fast, throwing the spotlight on questionable practices.