Bharuch Attack : A call For Justice
On the morning of 27th May 2024, six Jain sadhvijis (female monks) were brutally attacked by an unknown man on the Tham-Derol road in Bharuch district of Gujarat. The sadhvijis were walking towards Derol when the incident occurred.
The Attack
Jain monks adhere to a discipline known as vihaar, which involves traveling from one place to another solely on foot, without using any form of transportation. At around 4:30 am, six sadhvijis were performing their vihaar, walking from Shrimali Pol Jain Upashray in Tham Village towards Derol. They noticed an unknown man, later identified as 44-year-old Altaf Hussain Shaikh, following them. Despite the sadhvijis’ attempts to warn Altaf and instruct him to keep his distance, he continued to approach them inappropriately, making crude remarks and demands. Ignoring his behavior, the sadhvijis continued their journey, which infuriated Altaf. He then began assaulting the six sadhvijis with his belt, kicking and forcefully pushing one of them away. The situation escalated, prompting the sadhvijis to scream for help. Locals from the village quickly intervened, apprehended Altaf, and handed him over to the police near Derol crossroads.
Who is Altaf Hussain Shaikh?
Altaf is a resident of Khambhat district who has been living with his brother in Bharuch for the past four months, working as a laborer. Although the motives behind his attack are still unclear, Altaf has been charged under Sections 323, 341, 295 (A), 354, 354 (D), 504, and 506 (2) of the Indian Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt, molestation, and criminal intimidation.
About Marasaheb (Jain Monks)
Marasaheb (Jain monks) are individuals who have renounced the material world to live a life of spiritual discipline alongside other Jain monks. In their Diksha Jeevan, they observe chastity or brahmacharya, which includes not touching members of the opposite gender. These monks travel by foot, whether within cities, districts, or states. Altaf’s actions not only constitute a brutal crime but also violate the monks’ vows and discipline by forcibly touching and assaulting them.
As Jain youth, it is our responsibility to protect our religion and our marasaheb. No one has the right to commit such a shameful act. Let us raise our voices against this atrocity and appeal to the government for strict action against Altaf Hussain Shaikh.
It is only through our collective efforts that we can make a difference. Share this message with as many people as possible.
JAI JINENDRA. JAI JINSHASAN.
These incidents threatens me to the core, I don’t know how can we create a more safer environment in our own country for the monks who have chosen the path of salvation and have no hate for anyone yet face these kind of atrocities.
There should be strict law against particularly these people who are disturbing these souls(jain monks) who are living their lives leaving everything they had and even what they have earned using negligible resources of this universe and spending everything of their ownership for well being of others mentally, physically, financially….. One particular action against who are troubling jain sadhuji and sadhviji should get amended in every law of the world. Nothing else we can give them back because they don’t want and need anything from us, they are only givers of knowledge, of blessings, and showing us always the right path of human life. They are like Supreme as said by bhagwaan MAHAVEER – pancham kaal jo insaan panch mahavrat dhari hai i.e. [1. Non-violence 2. Truth 3. Non-stealing 4. Brahamcharya(chastity) 5.Non-possession of anything except limited cloths (for shwetamber sadhu-sadhvi and for female digambar sadhviji, digamber sadhus not even use clothes from this world) and few empty patraas (pots)]wo mahaan hai, bhagwaan ke Samaan hai. Care Jain Sadhu sadhvi, you will be cared.