BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya Faces Backlash for Using Tricolor to Wipe Nose During Tiranga Yatra
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many accusing the MLA of disrespecting the national emblem.
JAIPUR: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal constituency, Balmukund Acharya, has landed in a fresh controversy after a video surfaced showing him using the Indian national flag, the Tricolor, to wipe his nose during a Tiranga Yatra in Jaipur went viral in social media.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many accusing the MLA of disrespecting the national emblem.
The video, widely shared on platforms like X, captures Acharya participating in the Tiranga Yatra, a patriotic procession aimed at promoting national pride. In the footage, the MLA is seen briefly using the Tricolor to wipe his nose before quickly switching to a cloth, reportedly after being advised by someone nearby. The act has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, activists, and netizens, who have called it an insult to the national flag.
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The Congress party and other opposition groups seized the opportunity to criticize the BJP. A senior Congress leader from Rajasthan stated, “This is not just an act of negligence but a blatant disrespect to the symbol of our nation’s pride. The BJP must take strict action against Acharya to prove their commitment to national values.”
As of now, neither Acharya nor the Rajasthan BJP leadership has issued an official statement regarding the incident. Sources close to the MLA claim it was an unintentional act, and he immediately corrected himself upon realizing the mistake. However, this explanation has done little to quell the growing backlash.
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This is not the first time Acharya has been embroiled in controversy. In April 2025, he faced legal action for allegedly inciting communal tension during a protest outside Jaipur’s Jama Masjid, where he and his supporters were accused of raising offensive slogans and pasting “Pakistan Murdabad” posters. Acharya later apologized for that incident, citing his intent to protest a terror attack in Pahalgam.
The Tiranga Yatra incident has reignited debates about the BJP’s brand of nationalism, with critics pointing to Acharya’s actions as contradictory to the party’s public stance on patriotism. Social media posts on X reflect a polarized sentiment, with some defending the MLA, arguing it was a momentary lapse, while others demand legal action under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which prohibits disrespect to the national flag.
Legal experts suggest that if a formal complaint is filed, Acharya could face scrutiny under the law, which prescribes penalties for intentional insults to the Tricolor. However, no FIR has been reported as of Thursday evening.
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जयपुर की जनता को हर दिन देशभक्ति का सर्टिफ़िकेट बॉंटने वाले ये विधायक महोदय तिरंगे से नाक पोंछ रहे हैं।
क्या तिरंगे का सम्मान एैसे किया जाता है ??
राष्ट्रध्वज का अपमान एक गंभीर अपराध है। pic.twitter.com/nAeWTcLnnD
— Imran Pratapgarhi (@ShayarImran) May 15, 2025
The controversy comes at a time when the BJP is actively promoting patriotic campaigns across Rajasthan, making Acharya’s actions particularly damaging to the party’s image. Political analysts believe the incident could embolden opposition parties to intensify their attacks on the BJP’s governance in the state.
As the video continues to circulate online, pressure is mounting on the BJP to address the issue promptly. Whether Acharya will issue a public apology or face disciplinary action remains to be seen, but the incident has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Tiranga Yatra’s message of unity and national pride.
