Tensions Flare In Jaipur After BJP MLA Raises Slogan Inside Jama Masjid; Booked

Protestors gathered in Jaipur accusing BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya of raising offensive slogans inside Jama Masjid.

Police have registered an FIR against Acharya and deployed personnel outside the mosque. Congress MLAs joined the protest in support of the protestors.

Source : ANI

Tensions flared in Jaipur late on Friday as numerous protestors gathered in the Johri Bazar area, accusing BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya of raising slogans inside the Jama Masjid. 

He was accused of raising slogans targeting a community and pasting an offensive poster inside the mosque, according to an India Today report. 

The BJP legislator has, however, categorically refuted the allegations. 

An FIR has been booked against Acharya by Jaipur police in connection with the unrest at Jama Masjid. Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers outside the mosque including those from Special Task Force (STF). 

"People had gathered in large numbers and raised slogans, demanding action against the BJP MLA. The situation was brought under control peacefully," DCP (North) Rashi Dogra said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Acharya explained he had joined a public meeting in the city's Badi Chaupad area during the day to pay tributes to those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terrorist attack. He further said that the slogans were raised condemning the act of terror and Pakistan, which India has indirectly held responsible for the bloodbath.

"On a call given by Sarva Hindu Samaj, I joined a public outrage meeting at Jaipur's Badi Chaupad today to protest against the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and paid tributes to the innocent people killed," he said in a post on X.

"I protested against this incident by raising slogans of 'Pakistan Murdabad, Aatankvad Murdabad' (Down with Pakistan, down with terrorism)," Acharya wrote on the social media platform, he added.

Congress MLAs Join Protest 

As the demonstration erupted, Congress  Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi and Adarsh Nagar legislator Rafiq Khan arrived at the scene and backed the protestors. A delegation of the protestors met Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph over the matter.

Later an FIR was lodged at the Manak Chowk police station on Jama Masjid Committee member's complaint. The complainant alleged that Acharya and his supporters entered the mosque during night prayers, raised slogans targeting a community, pasted an offensive poster on the mosque's stairs, and made threats.