Shri Amit Shah Releases ₹100 Coin on Jain Acharya Vidyasagar

The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, released a ₹100 commemorative coin and special postal envelope to mark the first Samadhi Divas of Sant Shiromani Digambar Jainacharya Vidyasagar Mahamuniraj during his visit to Chandragiri, Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh, today, February 6, 2025.

The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, and Shri Naveen Jain, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), among others, accompanied Shri Amit Shah during the event.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah stated that Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj was not just a saint or a Jainacharya, but a visionary who introduced a new ideology and ushered in a new era. He emphasized that Acharya Guruvar Shri Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj, born in Karnataka, played a pivotal role in propagating Indian culture, languages, identity, and the nation as a whole, serving as a guiding light through his deeds. Shri Shah noted that it is extremely rare for a religious saint to work toward the preservation of national identity while also interpreting religious teachings on a global scale. He further remarked that Acharya Vidyasagar Ji dedicated his entire life to religion, culture, and the service of the nation.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah expressed his privilege in having met Acharya Shri Vidyasagar Ji multiple times. He recalled how Acharya Ji consistently emphasized the promotion and preservation of Indian languages, the global recognition of India's cultural heritage, and the preference for calling the nation ‘Bharat’ instead of ‘India’.

Shri Amit Shah further highlighted that Acharya Ji remained steadfast in his path of austerity and spiritual discipline until his last breath. He remarked that Acharya Ji’s spiritual energy not only guided Jain followers but also inspired people beyond the Jain community on the path of salvation.

He also noted that while many preach the idea of dedicating every moment of life to religion, nation, and society, only a few truly embody this principle, and Acharya Ji was a rare example of such unwavering dedication. Shri Shah added that Acharya Ji interpreted the principle of "Ahimsa Paramo Dharma" in a manner relevant to modern times and successfully established its importance on a global stage. He further emphasized that Acharya Vidyasagar Ji Maharaj ensured that his disciples lived their lives in strict adherence to the principles of Jainism, upholding its values through their conduct and teachings.

This marks the third commemorative coin release for the year 2025, minted by the India Government Mint, Kolkata. The bookings are expected to open soon on the India Government Mint's website and will be updated in the current and upcoming bookings section.