Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mahal Balmukundacharya of Jaipur’s Hawa constituency was taken into the police records late on Friday night for apparently posting a ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ sign inside a local mosque compound in the course of a protest rally against the Pahalgam terror attack, police added.
Protests Break Out in Walled City Area
After the incident, Muslims gathered in the Walled City area to demonstrate against the reported poster. Five police stations’ police forces were deployed in the area, a senior police officer added.
“The MLA put up the poster at around 9 pm inside the mosque along with some other BJP workers right after the protest rally. The action enraged the local Muslim community who gathered in the area at hundred in number and started demanding an immediate arrest of the MLA for hurting their sentiment. A large police force from five police stations were immediately deployed in the area while the senior police officials also reached the spot to pacify the mob,” additional police commissioner (Addl CP) of Manak Chowk Hari Shankar Sharma said.
BJP MLA Balmukundacharya Defends Actions
Balmukundachrya said, “We were protesting against the terrorism and Pakistan. The same posters were also put up on the pavements.”
The BJP and local unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had arranged a protest rally on Friday evening against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 died and some others were injured in the Baisaran meadow, 5 km from Pahalgam town in Anantnag district.
Videos Circulated on Social Media
While demonstrating, protesters had also assembled in the Badi Chaupar, torched posters, and chanted slogans against Pakistan and terrorism.
Meanwhile, a purported video of MLA Balmukundacharya. Former MLA Ashok Parnami. And three to four BJP leaders. Putting up the poster on the wall within the premise of a local mosque. And kicking over a similar poster on the ground near a bathroom. Was claimed to have circulated on social media.
Another video of his supporters chanting “Jai Shree Ram” outside the mosque was also said to have been shared on social media websites. But HT was unable to confirm the authenticity of these videos.
Authorities Step In
Balmukundachrya said, “We were protesting against the terrorism and Pakistan. The same posters were also put up on the pavements.”
Jaipur commissioner Joseph, other CP of Manak Chowk Circle Hari Shankar Sharma, and Jaipur (North) deputy police commissioner Rashi Dogra Dudi arrived at the scene to get the situation in hand.
Police personnel from five stations in the Badi Chaupar locality were deployed to ensure law and order.
Congress MLAs from Adarsh Nagar, Kishanpole Rafeek Khan and Amin Kagzi, also arrived at the location for a dialogue with the crowd and assist in defusing tensions.
FIR Filed Against BJP Leaders
“After a three-hour-long effort, the protesters lodged an FIR against the MLA and ended the protest. The crowd cleared the area gradually and peace was restored. However, the police force is still deployed in the area to keep a watch of the situation,” Singh added.
An FIR was lodged at the Manak Chowk police station against Balmukundacharya and other local BJP workers.
“Police pickets have been set up throughout the city, in the ramparts and sensitive areas of Jaipur. Three RAC companies, one STF and two regular companies have been deployed. All the officials are in the field and monitoring the situation… Legal action has been initiated in this case,” additional commissioner of police of Jaipur (Law & Order) Rameshwar Singh said.
Jama Masjid secretary Javed Pathan said, “The incident happened when we have been offering Namaz. He pasted those posters on the mosque stairs hurting our sentiments. However, we have appealed every one to maintain the peace in the area.”
