Rajasthan BJP chief reprimands Jaipur MLA over slogans, posters in mosque

JAIPUR: Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore Sunday reprimanded Hawa Mahal MLA Balmukundacharya, making it clear that any action threatening communal harmony will not be tolerated within the party. Rathore's remarks follow Balmukundacharya's controversial act of sticking posters and raising slogans ahead of the Friday prayers inside the Jama Masjid premises on April 25, which sparked tensions inside the walled city area.
"Those who deliberately provoke unrest have no place in BJP. Such acts are a betrayal of our principles and will be dealt with strictly. I instructed all party leaders and workers to uphold communal harmony and strictly avoid any behaviour that could damage the BJP's commitment to unity and public trust," Rathore said.
Rathore added that he instructed Balmukundacharya to prioritise peace and public sentiment. "He apologised and clarified his position immediately," he said.
Asserting that BJP "respects all religions and their places of worship", Rathore advised against politicising the incident. "Good governance cannot thrive without unity. We reminded our representatives that promoting peace and harmony is their foremost duty," he said, advising local MLAs Rafeek Khan and Amin Kagzi, both from Congress, to not play up the incident but work for peace.
The controversy erupted on April 25 when Balmukundacharya, along with his supporters, raised slogans and stepped onto the first stair of Jaipur's Jama Masjid during the Friday prayers. The act, seen as an intrusion during a sensitive time when prayers were being offered, led to tension in the area.
A large number of Muslims gathered following the incident, leading to an atmosphere of unease. An FIR was registered against Balmukundacharya at the Jaipur police station based on complaints of disrupting religious peace.
The situation further escalated Saturday when Jaipur Police resorted to cane charging a group of protestors who demanded the arrest of the BJP MLA. The heavy-handed police action drew sharp criticism from various quarters.