Report On Accident Of Muni Jambuvijayji

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This report, authored by Hiroko Matsuoka, documents a tragic road accident that occurred on November 12, 2009, during a pilgrimage. The accident resulted in the deaths of Param Pujya Munishri Jambuvijayji Maharaj Saheb, an 87-year-old highly respected Jain monk, and his disciple Namaskarvijayji.

The pilgrimage began on November 9, 2009, with Munishri Jambuvijayji, seven other monks, seven nuns, an assistant, a driver, and the author departing from Nakoda, Rajasthan, towards Jaisalmer. The accident took place on the fourth day of their journey, around 6:55 AM, on the Balotra-Barmer road.

According to the sole eyewitness, Himavantvijayji, a speeding Toyota Qualis jeep hit the group of four monks from behind. Munishri Jambuvijayji and Namaskarvijayji were walking together, with Namaskarvijayji following with a wheelchair for support. The jeep struck them with brutal force. Namaskarvijayji died instantly, and his wheelchair caused Munishri Jambuvijayji to fall. Munishri Jambuvijayji sustained severe injuries to his head, stomach, and bones, and despite being unconscious, was still breathing. Dharmagoshvijayji, who was holding Munishri Jambuvijayji's left hand, was knocked unconscious and suffered crushed legs. Himavantvijayji, holding Munishri Jambuvijayji's right hand, sustained leg injuries but was able to call for help. The jeep stopped about 50 meters away, and four of its passengers fled the scene.

Munishri Jambuvijayji succumbed to his injuries shortly after, around 7:00 AM. The other monks arrived at the scene shortly thereafter. The author and the nuns, who were approximately 4 kilometers ahead, rushed back upon hearing the news, witnessing the horrific aftermath. Police and an ambulance arrived later. Munishri Jambuvijayji and Namaskarvijayji's bodies were taken to Nakoda, while Dharmagoshvijayji and Himavantvijayji were transported to a hospital in Balotra.

The bodies of the deceased monks were displayed for devotees at Nakoda. After much discussion, a decision was made to cremate them in Shankheshvar, Gujarat, where Munishri Jambuvijayji's Guru and father had been cremated. The cremations took place on November 13, 2009, with thousands in attendance. The author notes that Munishri Jambuvijayji's ashes were divided into packages for condolers.

Following the accident, a Requiem Mass was held on November 18, 2009, where the chief monk of the Tapagaccha order accused the "Anoop Mandal," a Gujarat-based anti-Jain cult group, of involvement in the accident. This suspicion was heightened by a similar road accident involving four nuns that occurred on November 9, 2009, the same day the pilgrimage began. Many in the Jain community believe these deaths were not accidental but part of a plot. The group traveling with the author also expressed fear of potential attacks from the Anoop Mandal.

The report also touches upon the present condition of the surviving monks and the author's observations regarding broader societal issues. Dharmagoshvijayji was recovering in the hospital. The surviving monks and nuns intended to stay in Patan for at least a year to study, aiming to fulfill Munishri Jambuvijayji's last desire related to a manuscript scanning project. The driver of the offending vehicle was apprehended but released on bail shortly after.

The author raises concerns about the lax enforcement of traffic laws in India, the ease with which unqualified individuals can obtain driver's licenses, and the increasing number of vehicles on the road due to economic development. She notes that while Jain mendicants are generally respected, they face challenges in securing proper accommodation and sustenance during their pilgrimages, especially in villages where the Jain population has diminished. The author suggests the need for escorts for mendicants and better arrangements for food and water. She also expresses shock at the lack of seriousness with which the police treated the incident, failing to recognize the significance of the loss of a respected saint.

The author concludes by emphasizing the need for safer roads, stricter law enforcement, and greater support for Jain mendicants from the Jain community and local authorities. She believes that the accident highlights critical issues in road safety and the welfare of ascetics in India.