
Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria, BJP leader and former MP from Rajasthan's Tonk Sawai Madhopur, sparked controversy after a video surfaced showing him turning away Muslim women during a blanket distribution drive. Singh, who was MP from 2014 to 2024, is heard telling the women that those who abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi have no right to blankets.
Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully said that Jaunapuria insulted and withdrew a blanket from Muslim woman after asking her name and learning about her religion.
"A former MP asking a poor woman her religion and then taking back the blanket is highly condemnable," Jully said, alleging discrimination.
Supriya Shrinate, chairperson for Congress's social media wing, also shared the video and said the former MP is petty. "People were right in protesting. They should have thrown the blanket on his face," she said on X.
In the purported video clip, Jaunapuria is heard saying that those who abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi have no right to take the blanket.
Later in the video, some people are seen confronting the BJP leader over refusing blankets to Muslim women. They are seen telling him the women had been waiting for hours before being asked to leave empty-handed. Singh replied that he did not want to argue before leaving the spot. Singh has claimed that he was distributing blankets in a personal capacity and no government funds were used.
Local residents alleged that blankets were initially handed out to women on Sunday afternoon but were later taken back once their religious identities were disclosed.
Jaunapuria has not issued any public response to the allegations.
Stay updated with the Breaking News Today and Latest News from across India and around the world. Get real-time updates, in-depth analysis, and comprehensive coverage of India News, World News, Indian Defence News, Kerala News, and Karnataka News. From politics to current affairs, follow every major story as it unfolds. Get real-time updates from IMD on major cities weather forecasts, including Rain alerts, Cyclone warnings, and temperature trends. Download the Asianet News Official App from the Android Play Store and iPhone App Store for accurate and timely news updates anytime, anywhere.