– Raheem Khan
Jaipur: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has demanded immediate halt to a communal vehicle rally planned for September 29. Key PUCL leaders, including Bhanwar Meghwanshi, President; Anant Bhatnagar, Secretary; Meeta Singh, President PUCL Jaipur; and Suman Devthalia, Secretary PUCL Jaipur, raised concerns over the rally’s potential to incite communal tensions in the city.
According to PUCL, the rally is organized by Hawa Mahal MLA Sanjay Sharma, also known as Swami Balmukund Acharya, who they allege has been actively spreading discord within the community. Meghwanshi highlighted recent incidents where Acharya allegedly instigated conflict by raiding an e-Mitra operator under false pretences, leading to unlawful searches and the detention of the operator, while the police remained inactive.
Meghwanshi further noted that since winning the Hawa Mahal seat by a narrow margin of 900 votes, Acharya has targeted the Muslim community, resulting in rising instances of violence and harassment against them. The planned “Sanakalp Vahan Rally,” which is expected to attract 5,000 to 6,000 participants, will reportedly traverse areas predominantly inhabited by Muslims, raising fears that it will echo previous communal rallies known for inciting hatred.
PUCL expressed astonishment that the Rajasthan Police has granted permission for such a rally, which they argue is likely to provoke hostility and disrupt social harmony. They questioned the ability of law enforcement to manage the behavior of a large crowd, emphasizing concerns about potential inflammatory slogans and speeches.
In light of these circumstances, PUCL has formally requested Jaipur Police Commissioner to revoke permission for the rally, asserting that it poses a significant threat to public order. They also called for accountability among officials should the rally proceed and result in violence or disorder.
