Balmukund Acharya Explained

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.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Personal life

He is Acharya of Hathoj Dham Jaipur the sect of Hinduism.^{[8] [9] [10]} He is married and has kids.

Political career

Following the 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election, he was elected as an MLA from the Hawa Mahal, Jaipur.^{[11] [12] [13]}

Controversies

His statements and actions, perceived as promoting a Hindutva agenda, have generated significant controversy throughout his political tenure. Some of the controversies surrounding him are as follows:-

Inflammatory Statements:

• Hate Speech and Religious Intolerance: 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.^{[14] [15]}

Hijab Restriction:

• 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.^[16]

Misuse of Authority:

• Overstepping Political Bounds: Acharya has been criticized for interfering in administrative matters. He was seen threatening/instructing police officers to close meat stalls, raising questions about his overreach of authority and disregard for proper procedures.^[17]

Notes and References

1. News: Mishra . Ishita . 2023-12-03 . BJP’s Hindutva outreach plays out well with all four ‘babas’ winning in Rajasthan . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-12-04 . 0971-751X.
2. Web site: 2023-12-03 . Hawa Mahal Assembly Election 2023 Result Live Updates: Check Latest Trends From Rajasthan Election Results . 2023-12-04 . TimesNow . en.
3. Web site: 2023-12-04 . BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya In Action Mode, Says 'Chhoti Kashi Ko Karachi Nahi Banane Denge' Exclusive . 2023-12-05 . TimesNow . en.
4. Web site: 2023-12-04 . 'Shut down all roadside non-veg stalls': Rajasthan BJP MLA directs official after massive win . 2023-12-05 . Business Today . en.
5. Web site: Sharma . Pushpendra . राजस्थान: कौन हैं 'बाबा बवाल' बालमुकुंद आचार्य, जिन्होंने चुनाव जीतते ही 'बालकनाथ' को दे दी टक्कर . 2023-12-05 . News24 Hindi . hi.
6. Web site: Video: Men with Hanuman's Gada execute Acharya's order, compelling non-veg shop shutdown . 2023-12-05 . India Today . en.
7. Web site: 2023-12-05 . कौन है ये 'गदाधारी विधायक', जो जीतने के अगले दिन ही पूरे देश में Viral हो गया . 2023-12-28 . Zee News Hindi . hi.
8. Web site: लाइव . एबीपी . 2023-12-04 . 'सड़क किनारे चलने वाले नॉन वेज स्टॉल बंद करें', कौन हैं धमकी देने वाले स्वामी बाल मुकुंदाचार्य? . 2023-12-28 . www.abplive.com . hi.
9. Web site: हवामहल सीट पर बीजेपी ने खेला हिंदुत्व कार्ड, प्रत्याशी बालमुकुंद आचार्य बोले- मां-बेटे की सरकार को जवाब देंगे . 2023-12-28 . ETV Bharat News . hi.
10. Web site: हाथोज धाम के बालमुकुंद आचार्य महाराज जी का किया सम्मान संवाददाता देवी नारायण शर्मा जयपुर जयपुर सांगानेर प्रियंका . 2023-12-28 . aimamedia.org.
11. Web site: 2023-12-04 . बालकनाथ, बालमुकुंद, प्रताप पुरी और ओटाराम... राजस्थान के वो 4 महंत, जो BJP के टिकट पर पहुंचे विधानसभा . 2023-12-30 . आज तक . hi.
12. Web site: 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 . 2023-12-28 . Hindustan . hi.
13. Web site: लाइव . एबीपी . 2023-12-04 . 'सड़क किनारे चलने वाले नॉन वेज स्टॉल बंद करें', कौन हैं धमकी देने वाले स्वामी बाल मुकुंदाचार्य? . 2023-12-28 . www.abplive.com . hi.
14. Web site: 2023-12-10 . Balmukundacharya, Hawa Mahal BJP MLA, whose tirade against meat vendors went viral . 2024-01-30 . The Indian Express . en.
15. Web site: sabrang . 2023-12-05 . Rajasthan: Newly elected BJP MLA from Hawa Mahal constituency, Bal Mukund Acharya launches assault on minority-run meat food stalls . 2024-01-30 . SabrangIndia . en-US.
16. Web site: 2024-01-30 . In Rajasthan, BJP MLA stirs up hijab row in school, minister says Muslim ‘thinking more towards crime’ . 2024-01-30 . The Indian Express . en.
17. Web site: maniyar . zahid . 2023-12-05 . BJP MLA, Bal Mukund Acharya accused of targeting minority-run meat stalls in Rajasthan . 2024-01-30 . CJP . en-US.