Balmukund Acharya
Indian politician and spiritual leader (born 1976)
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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.
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 |
Personal life
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]