Short answer: No. The idea isn’t a special Shwetambara invention; it reflects a broader Jain commitment to ahimsa (non-violence) toward all living beings, including soil-dwelling organisms and tiny life in the ground.

Why root vegetables are often avoided:

• Uprooting or eating root vegetables can involve killing or harming the plant at its root, and many Jains extend non-violence to microorganisms and soil life.
• The practice is common across many Jain communities, not confined to one sect. It appears in domestic and ascetic contexts as part of minimizing harm to living beings.

What differs between Digambar and Shwetambar:

• Both traditions uphold non-violence as central. The differences are more about ritual rules and monastic practices than about the core reason for avoiding root vegetables.
• Digambar monks tend to follow stricter ascetic disciplines, while Shwetambar households often follow more lenient or regionally varied lay practices. In all cases, the avoidance of root vegetables is tied to the principle of minimizing harm, rather than a sect-specific doctrine.

If you’d like, I can point you to specific Jain sources that discuss ahimsa and dietary practices from Digambar and Shwetambar perspectives.