Strong Condemnation of Anti-Muslim Actions by Jaipur BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya and Demand for Immediate Legal Action

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Rajasthan, strongly condemns the recent anti-Muslim acts and statements of Balmukund Acharya, the BJP MLA from the Hawa Mahal constituency in Jaipur.

In a recent award ceremony in Jaipur, the MLA forced a young Muslim man to chant “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” When the man refused, the MLA questioned his patriotism. This incident, widely reported in the press, is yet another example of the MLA’s persistent, divisive, and discriminatory behavior.

PUCL expresses deep anguish that a public representative, whose duty is to safeguard the rights of all citizens and promote social harmony, is repeatedly engaged in spreading communal hatred and targeting the minority community. Such acts not only violate Article 14 (Right to Equality) and Article 15 (Prohibition of discrimination) of the Constitution but also infringe upon the fundamental rights of freedom of expression under Article 19 and freedom of religion under Article 25.

This is not the first instance of such conduct by MLA Balmukund Acharya. As various news reports and social media posts indicate, he is notorious for making inflammatory remarks and taking actions against the Muslim community. Such incidents weaken the social fabric and spread fear, mistrust, and division in society.

PUCL firmly believes that patriotism cannot be measured by forced slogans or imposed symbols. It is a personal sentiment that must flourish freely in the heart of every citizen. Imposing it upon any individual or community is contrary to constitutional values.

It is worth recalling that Acharya’s communal mindset was evident even before he became an MLA by a slim margin of 934 votes. However, his virulent anti-Muslim bias became more apparent after his election.

Forced Shutdown of Meat Shops: Even before being sworn in, on December 5, 2023, he had mutton forcibly removed from Muslim meat shops, publicly berated municipal officials for allowing meat sales on footpaths, and pressured them to take unlawful action without due process.

Harassment at a Girls’ School: On January 29, 2025, during an annual function at a senior secondary girls’ school, he objected to students wearing hijabs. He attacked the principal, a woman with a long and respected career, for not enforcing a specific dress code and threatened to have her removed from her position. The matter was only resolved after students protested and demanded an apology for his communal actions and for undermining the principal’s authority.

Provocative Rallies: He insisted on holding a rally for a “Hindu Rashtra” on September 24, 2024, through Muslim-dominated areas of the city, publicly stating that India should become a Hindu theocratic state. PUCL had condemned the Jaipur Police and administration for granting permission for this anti-constitutional rally despite massive opposition.

Incitement at Jama Masjid: On April 25, 2025, following a public meeting he organized near the city’s Jama Masjid to condemn a terror attack in Pahalgam, he led a rally that stopped outside the mosque while prayers were underway. The MLA attempted to climb the stairs with a provocative poster while slogans were being raised. The Muslim community exercised restraint, preventing a situation that could have provoked retaliatory action. Although an FIR was lodged by the Jaipur Police at the insistence of the community, no investigation is yet underway.

PUCL has consistently exposed the communal and anti-Muslim character of the MLA from Hawa Mahal and has openly criticized his every unconstitutional act. As a lawmaker, he has violated his oath of office, reflecting his narrow-minded, communal, and anti-constitutional outlook.

We demand that:

1. Immediate legal action be taken against MLA Balmukund Acharya under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other relevant laws for his communal remarks that incite hatred. An FIR should be registered against him under Sections 298 (injuring or defiling a place of worship), 300 (disturbing a religious assembly), 302 (uttering words with intent to wound religious feelings), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
2. The MLA must publicly apologize for his actions and pledge to refrain from such behavior in the future.
3. This incident must be impartially investigated, and appropriate action should be taken against the MLA given the gravity of his conduct.
4. The government and concerned authorities must safeguard the constitutional rights of all citizens and take concrete measures to preserve communal harmony.

PUCL appeals to all citizens, organizations, and communities to unite and raise their voices against communalism and discrimination. Our Constitution grants us the rights to equality, liberty, and fraternity, and it is our collective duty to protect these values. We remain committed to ensuring that social justice and human rights are upheld in Rajasthan and across the country.

(Bhanwar Meghwanshi, State President; Dr. Anant Bhatnagar, State General Secretary; Nishat Hussain, District President – Jaipur; Naveen Narayan, District General Secretary – Jaipur)