Ahmedabad, Dec. 23 -- A family court in Gujarat's Surat on Monday stayed a religious initiation "diksha" of a seven-year-old Jain girl after her father moved a petition alleging that he was not consulted and that his estranged wife took a decision against his wishes for the child to embrace monkhood. The diksha ceremony - a series of initiation rituals in Jainism wherein a person renounces worldly life to become a monk or nun - was scheduled on February 8, 2026, in Mumbai. Although preparations and related rituals had begun, family court judge SV Mansuri stayed the process, directing that the child should not participate in any diksha-related activity till further orders. The court posted the matter for further hearing on January 2. The girl's father had approached the family court seeking her custody earlier this month, claiming his estranged wife had decided that the child should take diksha to become a monk despite his strong disapproval. In his plea, filed under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890, the petitioner sought to become the child's legal guardian, citing her welfare. Advocate Samapti Mehta, appearing for the petitioner, said, "The court has directed the mother to file an affidavit stating that the child will not undergo diksha, and the mother has already submitted this in writing to the court today (Monday)." The couple got married in 2012 but have been living separately since last year. The petitioner submitted before the court that he had discussed the issue of their daughter embracing monkhood with his estranged wife and agreed that the girl should become a monk after attaining maturity. Mehta said that the petitioner wants the child to continue her education and focus on her overall upbringing, and has made it clear that any decision on renunciation may be discussed only when the child is old enough to understand its consequences. The girl's father has also alleged his estranged wife had taken their child to religious gatherings without hisapproval.htc...