Angry Jains attack Chitralekha office

According to the MRA police, more than 150 protestors stormed the Fort office in the afternoon and resorted to large-scale vandalism. They destroyed furnitures and some even tried to set some equipment on fire, the police further added.

The office was cordoned off after reinforcements arrived and 53 protestors were arrested. They accused were later produced before a migistrate at Ballard Pier. They were granted bail for Rs 5,000.

The cover story on Jain munis, carried with the cover graphic of a modern computer-friendly muni, had irked many Jain followers. The Chitralekha office received many threatening calls after the publication hit the stands. One of the relatives of a Jain muni called up the office alleging the cover image resembled one Acharya Arun Vijay.

With a view to clarify its stance, the Chitralekha management had organised a meeting with the Jain followers at 11.30 today. However, even before the meeting could start, unidentified Jain followers assembled outside the Fort office situated at Vaju Kotak Marg, near General Post Office. Later, the mob grew and forcibly entered the publication’s office. They broke the telephones, smashed a few computer terminals and damaged the staircase as well.