Meerut businessman Kulbhushan raised his hands chanting Jai Shri Ram, only to find himself robbed of Rs 36,000 by someone in the crowd.

For pickpockets, political rallies are like gold mines. Amid the din of political speeches and demonstrations, these skilled thieves exploit the chaos to steal wallets, mobile phones, and valuables from unsuspecting individuals. Even politicians, flanked by security, fall prey to their tactics.

Such was the case in Meerut, where BJP candidate Arun Govil”s roadshow became a fertile ground for pickpocketing.

As the BJP roadshow, featuring stars from Ramayan, passed by his shop, a Meerut businessman raised his hands chanting Jai Shri Ram, only to find himself robbed of Rs 36,000 by someone in the crowd. Many others, including journalists and a BJP leader fell victim to muggings and mobile phone thefts during the chaotic procession. Reports indicated the loss of over two dozen mobile phones and women”s bags.

“I was at sitting at my shop. I raised my hands and chanted Jai Shri Ram. There was a big crowd. As I got back and searched my pocket, there was no money. I fainted right there. I lost Rs 36,000,” said Kubhushan.

Arun Govil, famous for his portrayal of Ram in Ramayan is the BJP”s candidate in Meerut. He had announced the roadshow, inviting the people of Meerut to witness the presence of Sita, Ram, and Lakshman.

“Jai Siyaram my dear ones of Meerut. Today, Sita, Ram and Laxman who acted in Ramayana, will be among you from 3:00 onwards at Nandan Cinema Kailashpuri, New Road, Shastri Nagar, Surajkund, to have your darshan. I will be fulfilled by seeing you all,” Govil posted on X.

His roadshow drew huge crowds. The police have detained three people and further investigation is underway.

Similarly, recent BJP rallies in Karnataka”s Madikeri and Kushalnagar witnessed leaders becoming victims of pickpocketing. In Kushalnagar and Madikeri, 13 individuals were arrested by the Kodagu District Police for pickpocketing during rallies on March 27.

During the rally in Kushalnagar, pickpockets targeted former Speaker KG Bopaiah and others, stealing over Rs 1,96,300. At a meeting in a private hotel in Madikeri, pickpockets stole Rs 82,000 from different attendees.

The police managed to recover Rs 65,960 in cash and seized 12 mobile phones and two cars believed to have been used in the crimes. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody. They have registered three separate cases, gathering evidence from CCTV footage and technical sources to make arrests.