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New Delhi: A man from Surat has approached the family court asking for custody of his 7-year-old daughter. He told the court that his estranged wife had decided that the 7-year-old take 'diksha', much against his wishes. Diksha is a tradition in Jain religion, where the person needs to renounce the world and all worldly pleasures and walk on the path of penance and start living like a 'monk'.
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the father argued in court that he be appointed as the child's legal guardian and be allowed to protect her interests. The plea was filed under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
In response, the single judge bench of S V Mansuri issued a notice to the girl's mother. She has been asked to respond by December 22.
The man told the court that he married the woman in 2012 and they have been living separately for the past 1 year. The couple have 2 children. The man added that he had discussed about their daughter taking 'Diksha' and becoming a monk. But he said that he told his wife that the girl should only take 'Diksha' after she attains adulthood. However, according to the man, his wife argued that the child should take 'Diksha' at a ceremony in Mumbai in February 2026.
In February 2024, the woman left her husband's home along with her 2 children. She reportedly told him that she would return only if he agreed that their daughter take 'Diksha' now and not after attaining adulthood. She has been living at her parents' home since then, said the man. He also told the court that later on she insisted that she would take her daughter for the mass 'Diksha' ceremony, no matter if he agreed or not.
The man argued that his daughter is just 7 and at such a young age, she cannot take such a decision on her own. He also said that her mother used to take the child to religious gatherings often and in 1 such instance, she left the child with a 'guru' at his ashram. He said that this was despite his objections.
The petitioner said that when he went to meet his daughter at the ashram of the Jain monk, he was not allowed to see her. The ashram is located in Mumbai.
