Junagadh: A fresh controversy has erupted over the ownership of a peak and an alleged religious encroachment on Girnar mountain in Junagadh. Bhavnath Police have registered a case against two unidentified persons for allegedly hoisting a Jain sect flag on the Oghad peak of Girnar and raising slogans. Saints of the Nath sect have expressed strong anger over the incident, with several Sanatan Dharma leaders describing the act as an affront to their religious tradition.

An official complaint was filed at Bhavnath Police Station by Mahant Pir Yogi Somnathji Gurushree Rajnathji (55) of Shrinathji’s Dalicha. According to the complaint, about four days ago, two unidentified persons dressed in white allegedly carried a Jain flag to Oghadnath Tuk (the fourth peak), considered a sacred site of the Nath sect, and hoisted it there. The complainant alleged that slogans raised at the spot were intended to create enmity between the Nath and Jain communities.

Police said efforts have begun to trace the accused using photos and videos circulating on social media.

Following the incident, prominent Junagadh saint Yogi Shernathji Bapu strongly condemned the act. He stated that while every religion deserves respect, asserting religious supremacy at another community’s sacred place is unacceptable.

Notably, the controversy has surfaced ahead of the upcoming Mahashivratri fair—often described as a mini Kumbh Mela—which draws lakhs of devotees to Junagadh. Saints have warned the administration that failure to take strict action could disturb public peace during the festival.

Bhavnath Police confirmed that an FIR has been registered and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the accused using technical surveillance and social media evidence.

Just days earlier, Nath sect saints had submitted a memorandum to the Junagadh Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) seeking strict action. They claimed that the ancient footprints of Oghadnathji, located on Oghad peak, are a monument protected by the state archaeology department, and alleged that some Jain groups have been making claims over the site for years.

The saints also demanded the removal of painted writings on sacred stones and the registration of a case against those responsible, alleging incitement by Acharya Sunil Sagarji of the Digambar Jain sect. DeshGujarat