Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Mahal Balmukundacharya from Jaipur’s Hawa constituency was booked late Friday night after he allegedly placed a ‘Pakistan Murdabad’ poster inside a mosque during a protest against the Pahalgam terror attack, police said. The controversial posters also carried a slogan, “Who says terrorism has no religion?” alongside an image of a bearded man, implicitly targeting Muslims.
The incident sparked outrage among local Muslims, leading to a large protest in Jaipur’s Walled City area. Police forces from five stations were deployed to maintain order, said Additional Police Commissioner Hari Shankar Sharma.
According to officials, Balmukundacharya and other BJP workers pasted the poster around 9 pm inside the mosque premises after participating in a protest rally organized by the BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) against the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed.
“We were protesting against terrorism and Pakistan. The same posters were also put up on pavements,” Balmukundacharya said.
Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed Balmukundacharya, former MLA Ashok Parnami, and other BJP leaders pasting posters inside the mosque and chanting “Jai Shree Ram” slogans outside.
Senior police officials, including Jaipur Commissioner Joseph and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rashi Dogra Dudi, rushed to the spot to defuse tensions. Congress MLAs Rafeek Khan and Amin Kagzi also joined efforts to restore calm.
After a three-hour standoff, an FIR was registered at Manak Chowk police station against Balmukundacharya and others. “Police pickets have been set up in sensitive areas, and additional forces have been deployed to monitor the situation,” said Additional Commissioner of Police Rameshwar Singh.
Jama Masjid secretary Javed Pathan said, “The incident happened while we were offering Namaz. Posters were pasted on the mosque stairs, hurting our sentiments. However, we have appealed to everyone to maintain peace.”
Following the FIR, Balmukundacharya apologized to the Muslim community.
Meanwhile, political reactions poured in.
Congress leader Manish Mirdha said, “If you choose a ‘joker,’ all you’ll get is a ‘circus’…!! After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, while the entire country stands united, 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 visited the spot, condemned the act: “We follow the protocols of every religious place, then how can someone take their slippers and go inside a Masjid? There was agitation from people of every religion and caste in Jaipur. Such a person (BJP MLA Balmukundacharya) 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. If the MLA is found guilty, he should not be spared.”
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
