Jaipur: During a teachers’ felicitation ceremony in Jaipur, BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya sparked controversy by branding a Muslim attendee as “anti-national” for not joining in chants of “Vande Mataram.” The event, held at a hotel in Vaishali Nagar and attended by approximately 50 school directors and 100 teachers from across the country, took an unexpected turn when the MLA urged the crowd to chant patriotic slogans.
A video circulating on social media shows Acharya leading the chants, after which he singled out a man—identified as Mohammad Asif from Maharashtra—who remained silent. The MLA questioned whether Asif loved the nation and accused him of lacking faith in the country and its flag. Despite Asif insisting that he had no objection to these chants, Acharya persisted, implying that those who refrain from patriotic expressions while benefiting from the country were against the nation.
The incident prompted reactions from other attendees. Some questioned the pressure to conform, asserting that respect for the country should not be coerced. The MLA, however, maintained that he simply wanted collective participation in national slogans.
This latest episode adds to a string of controversies surrounding Acharya’s statements and actions toward the Muslim community, raising concerns about the increasing politicization of patriotism and the marginalization of religious minorities.
