What happened in your example is very natural, and Jain Darshan actually gives a very clear way to understand it.

You can look at it from two angles (naya):

1. From the Jain point of view (nishchay / tattva-drishti):

- For a Jain, moksha-marg is exactly what the Jinas have taught: samyak darshan – samyak jnān – samyak chāritra based on jīva, ajīva, puṇya, pāp, āsrava, saṁvar, nirjarā, moksha. - In this sense, only the path shown by the Jinas is “samyak” (right); other paths which deny these basic tattvas are called mithyā-darshan in the scriptures. - So, saying internally: “For ultimate liberation, the true path is only Jain dharma (Jin-vāṇī)” is fully in line with Jain shāstra.

1. From the practical, day-to-day angle (vyavahār / anekānt-drishti):

- Anekāntvād says: we see everything from a limited viewpoint. Other people also see from their limited viewpoint. - For a Hindu, Muslim, Christian, etc., their religion feels true, the way Jain dharma feels true to you. - Jain dharma teaches ahimsā in thoughts, words and behaviour. So even if we believe “this is the only complete path to moksha”, we do not hurt or insult others by calling their religion “false” in a harsh or disrespectful way. - So, from a practical standpoint we speak gently: - “For me, the path of the Jinas is the true path to liberation.” - “Others follow what they believe to be right; I respect their faith, but I choose the Jina-mārga.”

Your friends were basically saying:

• “You can explain Jainism, but don’t attack others’ religions, because for them, that is also ‘true’.”

In Jain language:

• From Jain tattva-darshan:

- The doctrine that leads to kṣayik samyak-darshan and moksha is one – the Jina’s path.

• From anekānt and ahimsā in vyavahār:

- We recognize that others have their own beliefs, and we don’t use violent or hurting speech about them. - We keep firm faith in our path, but with vinay (humility), not ahamkār (ego).

So what does it “mean” overall?

• Inside:

- You can (and should) have clear, unshaken faith that Jain dharma is the right path to liberation.

• Outside, in speech and behaviour:

- You express that faith in a non-violent, respectful, and many-sided way, without condemning or insulting other religions or people.

This balance of:

• strong inner conviction in Jain tattva, and
• gentle, respectful outer expression

is exactly the Jain way, guided by anekāntvād + ahimsā + vinay.