Balmukund Acharya
Balmukund Acharya | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mahesh Joshi |
| Constituency | Hawa Mahal, Jaipur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 December 1976 Jaipur, India |
| Party |  Bharatiya Janata Party |
Balmukund Acharya (born 1 January 1976) is an Indian politician currently serving as a member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly representing the Hawa Mahal constituency, Jaipur. He is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Personal life
He is Acharya of Hathoj Dham Jaipur, the sect of Hinduism.[1][2]
Political career
Following the 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election, he was elected as an MLA from the Hawa Mahal, Jaipur.[3][4]
Election results
| Year | Constituency | Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Hawa Mahal | Balmukund Acharya | Bharatiya Janata Party |
95,989 | 49.18% | Elected |
| 2023 | Hawa Mahal | R.R. Tiwari |  Indian National Congress |
95,015 | 48.68% | 1st Runner Up |
| 2023 | Hawa Mahal | NOTA | None of the Above | 1,463 | 0.75% | N/A |
Controversies
Acharya has been accused of making inflammatory statements promoting Hindu nationalism and inciting violence against minority communities. His comments on non-vegetarian food near religious sites and closure of meat stalls have sparked protests and accusations of religious intolerance.[6][7]
Acharya argues that wearing the hijab disrupts school discipline and sets a precedent for students wearing clothes representing various religions. This stance is interpreted by some as an attempt to impose Hindu values and restrict the religious freedom of Muslim students. Later, Muslim students gheraoed the police station, demanding that the MLA stop "vitiating the atmosphere in schools" and apologise for his actions.[8]
References
- ^ "हवामहल सीट पर बीजेपी ने खेला हिंदुत्व कार्ड, प्रत्याशी बालमुकुंद आचार्य बोले- मां-बेटे की सरकार को जवाब देंगे". ETV Bharat News (in Hindi). Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "हाथोज धाम के बालमुकुंद आचार्य महाराज जी का किया सम्मान संवाददाता देवी नारायण शर्मा जयपुर जयपुर सांगानेर प्रियंका". aimamedia.org. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "बालकनाथ, बालमुकुंद, प्रताप पुरी और ओटाराम... राजस्थान के वो 4 महंत, जो BJP के टिकट पर पहुंचे विधानसभा". आज तक (in Hindi). 4 December 2023. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "Baba Balaknath balmukund acharya mahant pratap puri otaram dewasi why is in news - राजस्थान चुनाव में बना रिकॉर्ड; बाबा बालकनाथ सहित 4 पुजारी जीते इलेक्शन, चर्चा में क्यों?, राजस्थान न्यूज". Hindustan (in Hindi). Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/rajasthan/constituency-show/hawa-mahal
- ^ "Balmukundacharya, Hawa Mahal BJP MLA, whose tirade against meat vendors went viral". The Indian Express. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ sabrang (5 December 2023). "Rajasthan: Newly elected BJP MLA from Hawa Mahal constituency, Bal Mukund Acharya launches assault on minority-run meat food stalls". SabrangIndia. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "In Rajasthan, BJP MLA stirs up hijab row in school, minister says Muslim 'thinking more towards crime'". The Indian Express. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.