Raigarh District Jail will see 47 inmates observing fasts during the Sharadiya Navratri. The inmates include 40 men and 7 women. District Jail Superintendent G.S. Shori shared that a total of 47 out of 800 inmates will participate in the fasting. The jail administration has made special provisions to accommodate the inmates’ religious practices. Thirty of the fasting inmates will observe the fast for all nine days, while the remaining 17 will fast on select days. Separate barracks have been arranged to enable them to perform puja and bhajans in peace. They will be provided with fruit-based meals instead of their regular food during the fast. The jail authorities have also provided the necessary worship materials, arranged for the installation of a Kalash, and provided musical instruments for devotional singing. The jail premises have been cleaned and made peaceful to create a suitable environment for the inmates during the Navratri celebrations. This step by the jail management is intended to respect the religious sentiments of the inmates while simultaneously fostering a reformative environment. Superintendent Shori emphasized that such religious practices cultivate positivity and self-reflection among inmates, which can facilitate their rehabilitation process.
