3 Jain monks brutally assaulted in Neemuch; Community calls for Bandh

Three Jain monks were violently attacked late Sunday night in Neemuch district’s Singoli region, sending shockwaves through the Jain community and prompting a city-wide bandh. The incident took place in Kachhala village, where the monks had stopped for rest during a religious journey. Six miscreants, allegedly intoxicated, assaulted the monks with sticks and sharp weapons.

The monks—Shailesh Muni Ji, Balbhadra Muni Ji, and Munindra Muni Ji—were on a vihar from Singoli to Neemuch when they paused at a roadside Hanuman temple to spend the night. Around midnight, six men arrived on three motorcycles, sat outside the temple, and consumed alcohol. Spotting the monks, they entered the premises and began demanding money.

When the monks refused, the men launched a brutal assault. One monk managed to escape and reached the main road, where he alerted a passer-by, who in turn informed the local Jain community. Villagers from Kachhala rushed to the scene. Four attackers fled, while two were caught by locals and handed over to the police. All six have since been taken into custody.

The injured monks were taken to Singoli Government Hospital, but in line with Jain customs, they refused treatment at night. Medical aid began on Monday morning. One monk suffered a serious head injury, while others had visible wounds. A photograph of one monk showed severe injury marks on his back, indicating the extent of the assault.

Neemuch SP Ankit Jaiswal visited the temple and confirmed that the accused are residents of Chittorgarh in Rajasthan. He assured that a serious investigation is underway. District Collector Himanshu Chandra and SDOP Javad Nikita Singh also met the injured monks at the hospital. Local MLA Omprakash Saklecha expressed his concern and demanded strict action.

The incident has deeply angered the Jain community. A city-wide bandh was observed on Monday in protest. Community members expressed pain and outrage over the attack, demanding justice and heightened security for monks during their religious journeys. Despite their injuries, the monks have remained committed to their religious principles, choosing not to eat or take medicine at night.