In a move that has shocked their family and friends, a couple has decided to renounce the world and become monks, leaving behind their three-year-old daughter and property worth Rs 100 crore.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the Jain couple Sumit and Anamika Rathore, currently on a vow of silence, will take ‘deeksha’ from Sudhamargi Jain Acharya Ramlal Maharaj at Surat in Gujarat on September 23.

Their daughter Ibhya will now have to be raised by the grandfather Ashok Chandaliya, who is a former Neemuch district president of BJP.

The couple got married four years ago and had reportedly already hinted at going on a spiritual quest when their daughter was just eight months old.

In preparation, they had started living separately and finally announced their decision to the family on August 22.

The family members, who are well-established in business and politics in Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch, tried to dissuade them, but have now accepted their decision.

‘We had no counter to their religious arguments and relented. One cannot stop anyone when religion calls,’ they said.