Overview
- Three Jain sadhvis were struck while on a religious foot journey in Rewa on Wednesday, May 20, leaving two dead and a third critically ill in hospital.
- Police say the driver, identified as Rashid Ali Shah, fled the scene with family and was intercepted near Jabalpur after an alleged roughly 270-kilometre chase and has been detained.
- Community leaders point to widely shared video that they say shows the car swerving toward the walkers and are demanding murder charges, preservation of CCTV and a full, impartial probe.
- Peaceful demonstrations and a large silent rally on May 24–25 took place across Madhya Pradesh and other cities, with organisers submitting a memorandum seeking strict action and warning of wider protests if demands are not met.
- Jain groups are calling for lasting change through a national ascetics protection policy, route coordination and speed controls during padayatras to reduce risks to barefoot monks and nuns and prompt faster legal remedies.