An FIR was registered against BJP’s Hawamahal MLA Balmukund Acharya after tensions erupted in the Char Diwari area of Jaipur’s Walled City during a protest organised by Acharya to condemn the recent militant attack in Pahalgam.
Posters reading “Pakistan Murdabad” and offensive slogans were allegedly pasted outside the Jama Masjid in Johri Bazaar on Friday night.
The controversial posters also included a slogan reading, “Who says terrorism has no religion?” along with an image of a bearded man, implying Muslims.
MLA Balmukund Acharya, who climbed a ladder at the Jama Masjid, shouted slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Pakistan Murdabad.”
The appearance of these posters triggered outrage among members of the Muslim community, who began protesting near Badi Chaupad, opposite Hawa Mahal. Mosque authorities alleged that several protestors had entered the mosque without removing their shoes, which added to the growing unrest.
Protesters accused MLA Balmukund Acharya of inciting religious sentiments and fueling communal tensions.
Following this, the Jama Masjid Committee lodged an FIR against Acharya at the Manak Chowk police station. The crowd dispersed only after the FIR was officially announced over the mosque loudspeakers.
The FIR charges MLA Balmukund Acharya under Sections 298, 300, 302, and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, promoting enmity between communities, outraging religious feelings, and inciting unlawful assembly leading to public disorder.
“We were offering night prayers when Balmukund Acharya entered the mosque, raised slogans and pasted objectionable posters on the stairs. Later, we met the police commissioner and registered an FIR,” said Jama Masjid Committee Secretary Zaheer Ullah Khan.
As the situation worsened, the Jaipur Police Commissionerate intervened, with Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph and Additional Police Commissioner Rameshwar Singh reaching the spot to control the crowd and restore order; additional police forces were also deployed to maintain peace in the area.
SHO Uday Singh said, “All the activities are under surveillance. Our forces are deployed everywhere, and everything is under control…”
Following the FIR, Acharya apologised to the Muslim community.
Congress leader Manish Mirdha said, “If you choose a ‘joker,’ all you’ll get to see is a ‘circus’…!! After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, while the entire country stands united against this attack, a BJP MLA is trying to spread religious frenzy within the country by raising slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ in a Jaipur mosque.”
Congress MLA Rafeek Khan, who reached the spot, condemned the incident, stating, “We follow the protocols of every religious place, then how can someone take their slippers and go in the Masjid? There was agitation against this in Jaipur’s people from every religion and caste. Such a person (BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya) does not hold the right to be an MLA. We have faith in the law and the police, and I appeal to the CM to conduct an investigation and if the MLA is convicted, he should not be spared.”
State President of Jamaat e Islami Hind Rajasthan, Mohammed Nizamuddin, demanded strict action against the MLA trying to spoil the atmosphere of Jaipur.
