NEW DELHI: A Jain monk clad in nothing, as per his tradition, had an audience of lawmakers spellbound with his views on terror and rape, and about Pakistan, he thought it was on a suicidal course, The Indian Express said on Saturday.

Likening home-grown terror groups in Pakistan to the Hindu mythical character Bhasmasur, saint Tarun Sagar, with not a stitch on his body, said India’s neighbour was sadly in a self-destruct mode.

Bhasmasur got a boon from Lord Shiva that anyone he touched on the head would turn into ash. But he tried to destroy Shiva as his first victim. Shiva ran and found help from Lord Vishnu who tricked Bhasmasur to touch his own head. Thus the demon turned into ash.

“Our neighbouring country is creating Bhasmasurs. Some day, just as Bhasmaur would, they too will want to destroy their benefactor, their creator. Pakistan is in error and this seems to be its preferred choice. India is doing well to forgive the folly.”

Sagar recommended eradication of widespread female foeticide as remedy for the growing menace of rape in the country.

Invited to speak by Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, Sagar said at the level of society, people should not marry their daughters into families that do not have daughters. At the religious level, saints should decide that they will not accept alms from houses where there are no daughters.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2016