India, May 4 -- A three-year-old girl suffering from a terminal brain tumour died after her parents initiated her into Santhara, a centuries-old Jain ritual of fasting unto death, sparking outrage and renewed scrutiny over the practice - especially in the context of minors.

The incident occurred on March 21 in Indore but drew attention this week after the Golden Book of World Records issued a certificate declaring the child, Viyana Jain, the "youngest person in the world to vow the Jain ritual Santhara." Her parents, Piyush Jain (35) and Varsha Jain (32), both IT professionals, said they acted on the advice of a spiritual leader, Jain monk Rajesh Muni Maharaj.

Santhara, also known as Sallekhana or Samadhi Maran, is a religious vow of vo...