Margao: A Court in Margao, Goa has directed the Police to lodge an FIR against Digambar Jain sage Pranam Sagar Maharaj for roaming around naked in public. The Order which was passed on May 26, referred to a procession conducted by Pranam Sagar Maharaj in the month of April in Margao town. The sage was also accompanied by former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.
The photos of sage’s procession had gone viral last month on Social Networking Websites and were criticized by several Goans. It was also criticized by Goa PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.
The FIR order was passed by Judicial Magistrate First Class (Margao) Bosco Roberts under section 294 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) based on the photos of Sage’s procession. It stated that while everyone was free to propagate his religion, but should not create annoyance for others.
Digambar Jains are one of the two sects of Jains, and they do not wear any clothes, as part of asthetic life and renunciation from this world.