Missing Jain Nun Found

AHMEDABAD: When Kiran Pandya got his sister's call from Mehsana, he could not believe his ears. Pandya, who had stormed the Jain fraternity in the city along with police, was shocked to know that his beloved sister, who had taken to Jainism and got diksha at the age of 9, shunned monk's life to marry to a youth from the community.

According to sources, Pandya was in the city for last three days, searching for his missing' sister. Talking to TOI on Tuesday, Pandya had raised questions about the safety and whereabouts of Mahasatiji Ojasvinibai, 28. "In the wake of strange incidents happening with sadhus and sadhvis of Jainism, I fear that she might have been abducted."

However, the twist came on Wednesday when she contacted him to reveal her location. "She had left a note while leaving the upashraya in Vasna informing that she was shunning monk's life by her will and was safe. This information was kept under wraps to protect the prestige of the institution. But, when allegations were levelled against us, we had to disclose the truth," said a member of Jain community.

The Jain sangh members told TOI that Ojasvinibai met Ashish Bhavsar, a youth from Viramgam while on Chaturmaas (four months of stay at one place for monks) at Mehsana. It was mutual attraction, according to duo, who decided to get married. As per plan, she left the upashraya and world of religion behind and donned the new identity of Archana.

The duo then went to Bali in Rajasthan for a civil marriage in front of marriage registrar.

The news did not go down well with her brother. "When Pandya went to Mehsana, he got enraged and attacked Bhavsar and alleged him of influencing to take a wrong decision. The matter went out of control and nearby police personnel had to rush to the spot. When police came to know that it was a matter of two adults having married with consent, they let them go and warned Pandya," said a police official.

Pramukhchand Shah, president of Dariapuri Sthanakvaasi Jain Sangh, told TOI that earlier sadhviji was warned of unacceptable practices' such as using mobile phone. "However, the restrictions were termed as harsh behaviour by her brothers. She had also given us a written apology. We just want to say that she has no grudge against the treatment she got or her life as a monk till she was in the city," he said.