Shortly after the BJP secured victory in Rajasthan, Balmukund Acharya, the party’s MLA from Hawa Mahal constituency, stirred a heated debate by “ordering” the closure of all meat stalls run by the Muslim community in his constituency.
A video circulating on the internet captures the MLA instructing the police to shut down non-vegetarian stalls and restaurants in the Chandi Ki Taksal area.
In the footage, Acharya is heard questioning a police officer about the legality of selling meat in the open and warning of consequences.
“Can meat be sold in the open on the road? Answer in yes or no. Are you endorsing them? I will take a report from you in the evening,” he states in the video.
In the video, Acharya confronts a restaurant owner in the presence of police officials. He demands to see licenses and claims the shop owners are turning the area into “Karachi,” saying, “This is not Karachi, this is Kashi,” amidst chants of “Jai Shri Ram.”
“Where’s your license? You’ve taken up 40 feet near the shop. How do you expect tourists to come here? There’s trash all over the place. Do you want to turn this place into a mess like Karachi?” he says in the video.
