JAIPUR: Vimla Devi Bansali, whose decision to give up food and water a fortnight ago to attain "santhara" provoked a debate and led to a legal battle over the right to die, died here on Thursday.

Ms. Bansali, in her early sixties, died a peaceful death, after which hundreds thronged her Chatrasaal Nagar residence in the Jagatpura area here to pay respects.

It is a highly revered act for the Jain community to attain "santhara," a religious vow of fasting till death. Only a person who has carried out his/her worldly duties fully and is keen on giving up life to attain "salvation" can have a proper "santhara."

The practice is prevalent among both the Swetambar and Digambar sects of the Jain religion.

Ms. Bansali, who was detected with cancer sometime ago, had announced her decision to carry out "santhara" from September 15. Her decision apparently had the support of her family members and the Swetambar Jain sect, to which she belonged.

A Rajasthan High Court Bench comprising Chief Justice S.N. Jha and Justice Ajay Kumar Rastogi on September 23 issued show-cause notices to the Home Secretaries of the Union and State Governments, the Jaipur-based Statakvasi Jain Sravak Sangh, Shramal Sabha and the family of Ms. Bansali. The court's action came on a public interest petition from Nikhil Soni, requesting it to declare Ms. Bansali's act "illegal."

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