A 13-year-old girl from Hyderabad has lost her life after fasting during the Jain holy period of Chaturmas. Aradhana, a class 8 student had observed 68-days fast during the period. Her 10-week long fast ended on the 3rd October and it was celebrated with a huge event at their house called 'Paarana'. The event was also attended by Padma Rao, a Telangana minister from Secunderabad area. Soon after, she was rushed to a hospital because of dehydration. The girl had slipped into coma after prolonged starvation and the doctors said that her intestines had dried up after the fasting and both her kidneys were also severely damaged. The doctors declared her 'brought dead'.

'We did not hide anything. Everyone knew Aradhana was fasting. They came and took selfies with her. Now some people are pointing fingers at us for allowing her to fast for 68 days,'' Aradhana's grandfather, Manekchand samdhariya told NDTV.

Community leaders said the fast was meant for adults and was unaware how the girl was allowed to even give up school to sit on a fast for this long.

Those known to the family say the girl had earlier also undertaken a similar fast for 41 days and survived.

Aradhana's family is into jewellery business and owns a shop in the Pot Bazaar area of Secunderabad.

A complaint has been lodged by the child rights' association seeking immediate action against her parents.