In Jain dharma, a woman in menstruation is not to be seen as “untouchable” in the sense of being impure, inferior, or unworthy. Jain philosophy never supports hatred or disrespect toward her.

What is found in some Jain traditions is a practice of temporary restraint during periods, mainly for:

• maintaining cleanliness and discipline,
• avoiding certain religious activities like temple worship, fasting rituals, or handling sacred objects,
• and in some traditions, reducing bodily activity and harm during a natural physical condition.

So the idea is not “she is untouchable”, but “certain religious actions are paused for a time.”

Is it written in shastra?

In Jain scriptures and traditional achar, you may find rules of purity and restraint related to bodily states. Some communities interpret these more strictly than others. But the core Jain teaching is:

• all souls are equal,
• a woman’s soul is not less pure than a man’s soul,
• and no one should be disrespected because of a natural bodily process.

Important distinction

There is a difference between:

1. ritual restriction in some traditions, and
2. social untouchability or disrespect.

Jain dharma supports the first only in a limited traditional sense; it does not support the second.

In simple words

A woman in periods should not be treated as untouchable. At most, some Jain traditions advise temporary restraint from worship or religious handling during that time.

If you want, I can also explain this according to Digambar and Shwetambar views separately.