Jaipur: A case was registered against BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya for allegedly entering Jama Masjid in Jaipur during night prayers, raising slogans targeting a particular community, and pasting an objectionable poster on the mosque’s stairs. The incident, which took place late Friday night in the Johri Bazar area, triggered widespread protests, with locals accusing the legislator of inciting communal sentiments.
Acharya clarified that he had only participated in a protest earlier that day at Badi Chaupad, organised to condemn the recent attack in Pahalgam and to criticise Pakistan’s alleged indirect role in the violence. According to him, slogans raised at the protest were against terrorism and Pakistan, not aimed at any community.
Despite his clarification, tensions flared as large crowds gathered demanding action against the MLA. Congress MLAs Amin Kagzi and Rafiq Khan joined the demonstrators in solidarity. A delegation of the protesters later met Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph.
An FIR was filed at Manak Chowk police station based on a complaint by a Jama Masjid Committee member, who told the police that Acharya and his supporters entered the mosque, shouted provocative slogans, and issued threats.
In a social media post, Acharya reiterated that he had only joined a protest held by Sarva Hindu Samaj and raised slogans like “Pakistan Murdabad” and “Aatankvad Murdabad” to express anger over the Pahalgam killings, in which 26 tourists were killed.
Police said the crowd was eventually dispersed peacefully after officials assured action. Meanwhile, religious tensions have been on the rise in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, especially after reports suggested the attackers asked about the victims’ religion before opening fire.
In a related fallout, Hindu Raksha Dal issued online threats to Kashmiri students in Dehradun, urging them to leave the state, while in Agra, a restaurant worker was shot dead and another injured — the attacker claimed it was an ‘act of revenge’ for the Pahalgam massacre.
