Jaipur: Tension flared in Jaipur on Monday as police used water cannons to disperse members of the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena and supporters participating in a rally demanding the rollback of recent UGC decisions and the fulfillment of various demands related to the Savarna community.
The protesters gathered at Ravan Gate and began marching towards the Jaipur Collectorate to submit a memorandum.
The rally, led by Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena National President, Mahipal Singh Makrana, was scheduled to proceed via Panipech. However, police attempted to stop the procession by erecting barricades near Kalwar Puliya.
As protesters pushed forward, a confrontation broke out between the crowd and police personnel. Police resorted to water cannons to control the situation, while some protesters reportedly attempted to move towards the water cannon vehicle.
Despite the police action, demonstrators removed the barricades and continued their march towards the Collectorate through the Jhotwara-Panipech route.
Authorities later strengthened security arrangements and installed additional barricades near Chomu Puliya, where the rally was expected to be stopped.
A heavy police force, including personnel from the Special Task Force (STF), was deployed to maintain law and order.
According to the organisers, people from 24 states participated in the rally.
Large numbers of supporters arrived in Jaipur in private vehicles and buses to join the demonstration.
The protest is part of the broader ‘Savarn Nyay Yatra’, launched by Mahipal Singh Makrana to oppose UGC-related decisions and raise issues concerning the upper-caste community.
Makrana had begun his journey from Jaipur to Deshnok in Bikaner around 24 days ago. The march later evolved into the Savarn Nyay Yatra and reached Jaipur on Sunday.
During the final leg of the journey, Makrana reportedly fell ill and briefly lost consciousness on Saturday. Despite health concerns, he continued the yatra while seated in a wheelchair. On Sunday night, thousands of supporters participated in a torchlight procession from Govindpura to Bajrang Dwar.
The main rally on Monday then set out from Kalwar Road with the aim of reaching the District Collector’s office and submitting a memorandum. A large number of protesters moved towards the Collectorate, reaching the Chomu Puliya area.
Authorities deployed additional police personnel and erected barricades under Chomu Puliya to prevent the procession from advancing further. Police used water cannons after protesters attempted to cross barricades near Kalwar Puliya.
Demonstrators dismantled police barricades and continued their march despite efforts to stop them. The situation remained tense but under close police monitoring as the procession advanced through Jaipur.
(IANS)
