Jama Masjid committee urges PM Modi to act against MLA Balmukundacharya
1
2
Jaipur: The Jama Masjid management committee Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to take cognisance of
BJP MLA Balmukundacharya
's actions, accusing him of disrespecting the sanctity of the mosque and attempting to incite
communal violence
in Jaipur.
The Hawa Mahal MLA had led a group of supporters to the Walled City Jama Masjid ahead of the Friday prayers and stuck a poster of "Pakistan Murdabad" on the mosque's stairs. He also stamped on the mosque's stairs as his supporters sloganeered outside the mosque.
The BJP MLA's conduct, which led to widespread protests on Friday and and FIR against him, saw Zahirullah Khan, secretary of the
Jama Masjid Committee
(JMC) strongly criticise the MLA's actions on Saturday. "PM Modi speaks of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' yet your party's MLA brazenly entered the mosque during the time of Nawaz (prayers) to provoke riots. Modiji, your silence would mean that you endorse his acts," Khan said.
Responding to reports that suggested Muslims objected to anti-Pakistan slogans raised by the MLA and his supporters, Adarsh Nagar MLA Rafeek Khan said the Jama Masjid had hosted a special prayer for the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack minutes before the MLA and his supporters disrupted Friday prayers. "The objection was not to the slogans but to the trespassing into an important mosque with the clear intention of provoking violence among worshippers," Khan said.
Calling out Balmukundacharya for his anti-Muslim acts, Jaipur Municipal Corporation representatives said, "Not only did he forcibly enter the mosque, but he also entered the women's prayer hall, harassed women at the Shia Imambargah, overstepped his authority by raiding meat shops, harassed Muslims on the streets, and delivered hate speeches."
Kishanpole MLA Amin Kagzi said Balmukundacharya's actions were part of a "nefarious design to disrupt peace."
"This MLA is not only an enemy of Muslims but is also working against you. His actions, which tarnish Jaipur's image, will ultimately harm the city's reputation before investors participating in the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit and tourists visiting from across the globe. If you fail to reprimand him, be ready to face the anger of Jaipurites, including our Hindu brothers," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Iran launches fresh wave of attacks on Israel, air raid sirens sound
Iran struck Israel early Saturday with barrages of missiles after a massive onslaught targeted the Islamic republic's nuclear and military facilities, and killed several top generals. Air raid sirens and explosions rang out across Israel overnight, with its military calling on residents to take refuge in bomb shelters Saturday morning. The Israeli military said dozens of missiles -- some intercepted -- had been fired in the latest salvos from Iran. Smoke was billowing above skyscrapers in downtown Tel Aviv, an AFP journalist reported, as Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it had attacked dozens of targets in Israel. Israel's firefighting service said its teams were responding to the aftermath of Iranian missile strikes, including working to rescue people trapped in a high-rise building. Rescuers said 34 people had been wounded in the Gush Dan area, including a woman who later died of her injuries, according to Israeli media reports. Resident Chen Gabizon told AFP he ran to an underground shelter after receiving an alert notification. "After a few minutes, we just heard a very big explosion, everything was shaking, smoke, dust, everything was all over the place," he said. In Iran's capital Tehran early Saturday, fire and heavy smoke billowed from Mehrabad airport, an AFP journalist said, as local media reported a blast in the area. Iran said earlier it had activated its air-defence system and explosions could be heard across the capital. Dozens of people took to the streets of Tehran overnight to cheer their country's military response, with some waving national flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans. Iran's ambassador to the UN said Friday that 78 people had been killed and 320 wounded in the first wave of strikes by Israel. After a day of back-and-forth bombardments, UN chief Antonio Guterres called for the two nations to cease fire. "Enough escalation. Time to stop. Peace and diplomacy must prevail," he wrote on X late Friday. US officials said they were helping Israel defend against the missile attacks, even as Washington insisted it had nothing to do with Israel's strikes on Iran. US President Donald Trump agreed on a call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that "dialogue and diplomacy" were needed to calm the crisis, Starmer's office said. Trump also spoke with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Friday, US officials said, without elaborating. Iran's missile salvo came hours after Israel said its widespread air raids had killed several top Iranian generals, including most of the senior leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force. It had launched several rounds of strikes that hit about 200 targets including nuclear facilities and air bases. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to bring Israel "to ruin" during a televised address. In Israel, Netanyahu issued a statement calling on the Iranian public to unite against their own government. But he also warned more attacks were coming. "In the past 24 hours, we have taken out top military commanders, senior nuclear scientists, the Islamic regime's most significant enrichment facility and a large portion of its ballistic missile arsenal," Netanyahu said. While stressing that it was not involved in the Israeli attacks, the United States warned Iran not to attack its personnel or interests. Tehran nevertheless said Washington would be "responsible for consequences". The strikes killed Iran's highest-ranking military officer, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, Iranian media reported. Khamenei swiftly appointed new commanders to replace those killed. "The senior chain of command of the air force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps had assembled in an underground command centre to prepare for an attack on the State of Israel," the Israeli military said, adding that its attacks had killed most of them. Iran confirmed that the Guards' aerospace commander had been killed, along with "a group of brave and dedicated fighters". AFP images showed a gaping hole in the side of a Tehran residential building that appeared to have sustained a targeted strike. Tasnim news agency said six nuclear scientists were among the dead. Oil prices surged while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes. The conflict raised questions as to whether Sunday's sixth round of talks planned between the United States and Iran to seek a deal on Iran's nuclear programme would go ahead in Oman. After the first wave of strikes on Friday, Trump urged Iran to "make a deal", adding that Washington was "hoping to get back to the negotiating table". Iran confirmed that above-ground sections of the Natanz enrichment plant had been destroyed, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said radiation levels outside the site "remained unchanged". "Most of the damage is on the surface level," said the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran's spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi. Iran said there was only limited damage to the Fordo and Isfahan nuclear sites. The United States and other Western governments have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, an ambition it has consistently denied. Netanyahu said Israeli intelligence had concluded that Iran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear programme. Israel had called for global action after the IAEA accused Iran on Thursday of non-compliance with its obligations. Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set by a largely moribund 2015 agreement with major powers, but still short of the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear warhead.
New Indian Express
32 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Congress in damage control mode over Satheesan's Jamaat remarks
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As leader of opposition V D Satheesan's attempt to 'whitewash' Jamaat-e-Islami, backfired politically in Nilambur, the Congress has started damage control efforts. KPCC president Sunny Joseph has met powerful Muslim and Christian leaders in this regard. The move comes days before the visit of Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi to Nilambur which is part of her LS constituency. Sunny Joseph, who is close to Thamarassery Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil, met the latter on Friday. The meeting came after the Catholic Congress under the powerful Thamarassery Diocese issued a strong statement against Congress - Welfare Party tie-up. The KPCC chief reportedly clarified the party's stand to the bishop. He also sought the Church's support. According to sources close to the Church, Sunny Joseph held talks with Catholic Congress leaders. The KPCC president also met Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, the president of Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, on Thursday. There is criticism among UDF partners that the opposition leader's 'certificate' to the Jamaat-e-Islami was an unwanted one. They are of the view that it gave both the CPM and BJP a political weapon which could have a far-reaching effect even in national politics. 'There is still suspicion over the controversial stand of Jamaat on Indian democracy, religious state and Constitution,' a Congress PAC member told TNIE. 'It is no surprise that almost all prominent Muslim community organisations including Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulma, and Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, and the Catholic Congress, a lay organisation of Syro-Malabar Catholics of Thamarassery Diocese, had come out strongly against the Jamaat-e-Islami- Congress alleged tie-up,' he added. The Congress-UDF leadership has decided not to entertain questions about Jamaat-e-Islami, Welfare Party and Congress 'tie-up'. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal's attempt to evade questions about the controversy, and senior leader K Muraleedharan playing down the issue are seen as part of this strategy. The party has decided to focus on the governance of the LDF government. There is also apprehension that though Venugopal's attack against CM's alleged anti- Malappuram remark was a success, the Jamaat controversy spoiled the edge. 'There are chances that the RSS -BJP may use the Jamaat controversy against the Gandhi family and the Congress in north India,' a senior Congress leader told TNIE. 'As state assembly elections are approaching, we do not want any kind of political debate on that,' he said.
The Hindu
41 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Bengal clashes: Suvendu Adhikari demands compensation for vandalised shops
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has demanded compensation for shopkeepers whose shops were vandalised in the Rabindra Nagar area of Maheshtala (South 24 Parganas). This comes after clashes erupted between two groups in the area on June 11, which left several police and locals injured and many cars and shops vandalised. Standing outside the West Bengal Legislative Assembly along with other Bhartiya Janta Party leaders on June 13, Mr Adhikari said that adequate compensation should be ensured for victims. 'They vandalised shops, cars, looted shops of 'Hindus', the 'other' community has done the same thing in Samserganj and Suti,' Mr Adhikari said. This came in reference to the communal riots in Murshidabad in April. The LoP also announced that BJP MLAs will participate in a protest against the Maheshtala violence on June 14 right outside the Assembly premises. He also alleged that they are not being 'allowed' to discuss the matter inside the Assembly. 'Our representatives will go to Rabindra Nagar on Saturday, including MLA Agnimitra Paul. If they stop us, we will protest wherever they stop us,' Mr Adhikari added. He also said that they will spend their own MLA salaries to offer medical assistance to the people who have been injured in the communal clashes in Rabindra Nagar. He also offered to pay for any other assistance that the affected 'Hindus' may need stating that the party will never 'abandon' one of their own. Violence broke out in Ward No. 7, Maheshtala, on Wednesday morning, reportedly over the setting up of a shop. The situation took a communal turn following allegations of an attack on a place of worship. Tensions escalated rapidly as two groups clashed, pelting stones and attacking police personnel. The police resorted to tear gas shelling and baton charges to disperse the crowd. Till now the West Bengal Police have arrested 40 people in connection with the violence. Seven FIRs have also been filed. The State BJP accused the police of trying to 'whitewash a communal attack' and sought the deployment of Central forces. The ruling Trinamool Congress, in turn, accused the BJP of trying to incite communal passions. Mr Adhikari met Governor C.V. Ananda Bose and also moved the Calcutta High Court on June 12 asking for Central Force deployment in the violence-hit areas.
