Ex-BJP MP Sparks Anger After Denying Blankets to Muslim Women
TONK, RAJASTHAN. A big controversy has started in Tonk district of Rajasthan after a video showed Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria, a BJP Member of Parliament not giving blankets to Muslim women at a charity event. The video, which has gone viral on media shows a tense moment that has been widely criticized.
The Incident
The event happened on Sunday in Kareda village, where Jaunapuria was giving out blankets to people in need. According to eyewitnesses and the video things changed when Jaunapuria started asking for the names of the people getting blankets.
In the video when a woman says her name is Muslim Jaunapuria is heard telling his staff to take the blanket back. He says, “Those who abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi do not have any right to these blankets. Please move aside.” He repeated that those who abuse Modi have no right to the blankets.
The Aftermath
One of the women Sukaran Khan told reporters that they were given blankets at first but then they were taken back when their religion was known.
When villagers questioned Jaunapuria he said the event was his charity and not a government scheme. “This is my arrangement. It doesn’t matter if you feel bad ” he reportedly said. Jaunapuria made it clear that he was not willing to change his stance.
Political Reaction
The incident has become a political issue. Tikaram Jully, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly said the act was “shameful” and “discriminatory.” He noted that it is beneath the dignity of a public servant to ask for someones religion before offering help.
As of Monday morning Jaunapuria has not made a statement about the video. The video continues to get thousands of views sparking a debate on charity, politics and social harmony. The incident has raised questions about Jaunapurias actions and the implications, for harmony. Sukhbir Singh Jaunapurias actions have been widely criticized.
