The Jain community in the twin cities would celebrate Mahaveer Jayanti, the 2615th birth anniversary of Lord Mahaveer on April 19. Five-day-long celebrations will be held by the Sri Jain Seva Sangh, starting from April 15, which includes service activities.

Representatives of the Sri Jain Seva Sangh urged Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao to declare Mahavir Jayanti as a public holiday in the state every day, similar to Central government which has already made the declaration. Central Government during Vajpayee Prime Ministership declared Mahavir Jayanthi as a gazette holiday.

Several communities have holidays, but, Jain community was not fortunate enough to Mahaveer Jayanthi declared as Public Holiday. They also appealed to Government to see that all slaughter houses in the state are closed for one day on Mahavir Jayanthi.

Speaking to media persons, representatives of Sri Jain Seva Sangh said the celebrations are planned for five days under the aegis of Sri Jain Seva Sangh, the apex body of about eight lakh Jain Community in Telangana State. They demanded that Vardhaman Mahavir, the founder of Jainism statue may be installed at Ram Koti and name one street at least in the city after Vardhaman Mahavir or Ahimsa Marg.