Jaipur, February 24, 2026:
A political controversy erupted in Rajasthan on Monday after a video surfaced showing former BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria distributing blankets in Tonk district and allegedly taking them back from Muslim women, triggering widespread criticism across party lines.
The incident occurred in Kareda Buzurg village under the Niwai Assembly constituency of Rajasthan. In the video, which has since gone viral on social media, Jaunapuria is seen questioning women about their names and instructing aides not to give blankets to some of them. At one point, he is heard saying that those who “abuse Modi” have no right to receive the blankets.
As Jaunapuria leaves the venue, locals are heard questioning his actions. One man is seen telling him that taking back blankets after distribution goes against democratic values. In response, Jaunapuria asks whether the blankets were provided by the government, following which the man tells him that he has committed a mistake.
One of the affected women, Shakuran Bano, told reporters that the blankets were taken away after the women were identified as Muslims. “There were six Muslim women. Three of us were given blankets, but they were taken back. We were also told to sit separately without any reason,” she said.
Local resident Ramesh Meena expressed shock over the incident, saying such behaviour was unprecedented in the village. “We have five to seven Muslim households here. This is a peaceful village and nothing like this has ever happened before,” he said.
Reacting sharply, senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot posted on social media, calling the act “reprehensible and unfortunate” and stating that discrimination based on religion or caste violates constitutional values. Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra also condemned the incident, accusing the BJP of promoting politics of “hate, polarisation and division”.
Following the backlash, Youth Congress workers reached the village and distributed blankets to the affected women, describing the earlier incident as humiliating and unacceptable.
Defending himself, Jaunapuria told reporters that the blanket distribution was not a party programme but his personal initiative. He claimed that a list of around 200 women party workers had been prepared and that the Muslim women were not invited. “When I came to know they were Muslims, I said it was inappropriate to give them blankets meant for party workers,” he said.
Jaunapuria further argued that if the women had kept the blankets, party workers would have objected, alleging preferential treatment. He also cited his past welfare activities, including running a community kitchen in Tonk for over a decade, claiming that many beneficiaries are Muslims.
The controversy has once again sharpened political sparring between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress, with opposition leaders demanding accountability and reiterating calls for communal harmony in the state.
