A serious incident occurred on Tuesday morning in the Saraiya police station area of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, where Upasargaji Shraman Shri Vishalyasagar Ji, a Digambar Jain Muni, was threatened with murder and insult. Reports also indicate that the Muni faced misconduct during the incident.
According to police, the Muni was staying at the Bhagwan Mahavir Janmasthali Complex in Basokund while attending the Golden Kalash and Golden Flag installation ceremony in Vaishali. On Monday night, he rested at Kanti Tola School in Dokra, Saraiya, and on Tuesday morning, he was heading towards Madwan.
During this journey, two youths on a motorcycle stopped him near Gopinathpur Dokra and verbally abused him. They insulted the Digambar tradition and threatened the Muni to wear clothes. When the Muni resisted, the assailants threatened to shoot him and fled the scene.
The threat caused panic among the Muni’s followers and local residents. The Muni sat in silent meditation along NH-722. Locals informed the police, who promptly arrived at the scene. Saraiya Station Officer Subhash Mukhia stated that efforts are ongoing to identify the youths, who remain at large. No formal written complaint has been filed yet.
The officer added, “The police were not informed in advance about the Muni’s travel schedule. We ensured his safety and escorted him to Akhtiyarpur Madwan in Karja police area, where he spent the night.”
The incident has caused significant outrage among locals and the Jain community. The Jain society expressed serious concern regarding the safety of saints. The Muni has now continued his planned journey via Sitamarhi towards Mithilapuri.
Digambar Jain Munis do not wear clothes, as they believe garments are meant to cover desires and impurities. A Muni who has conquered worldly desires has no need for clothes. By renouncing the need for clothing, cleanliness, and material possessions, the Muni dedicates himself entirely to penance and spiritual practice.
There are two major sects in Jainism. During a 12-year famine in North India, thousands of Jain Munis migrated south, forming the Shwetambar sect, while those who remained in the north became Digambar Munis. Since then, Digambar Jain Munis have traditionally refrained from wearing clothes.
