Police and protesters clashed during a rally organised by Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena in Jaipur over demands related to the University Grants Commission (UGC) rollback and various issues concerning the Savarna community. Police used batons and water cannons to disperse the crowd, and several protesters were reported injured.
The rally, led by Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana, began from Ravan Gate on Kalwar Road and proceeded to the Collectorate Circle. The protesters intended to submit a memorandum to the district administration. However, some participants later attempted to move towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office. Police set up barricades near Khasa Kothi Pulia to stop them, following which a confrontation and pushing and shoving took place between police personnel and protesters.
According to the police, barricades were erected to control the crowd and maintain law and order. When protesters attempted to remove the barricades and move forward, police used water cannons. As some participants continued trying to advance, police carried out a baton charge. Eyewitnesses reported that several protesters sustained injuries during the incident. Pushing and shoving was also reported between police officials and Karni Sena workers.
Mahipal Singh Makrana alleged that police used force despite the protest being peaceful. He said water cannons were also used against women and youth and claimed that several workers were injured. He stated that the organisation only intended to present its demands to the administration through democratic means. Makrana also claimed that protesters had initially been assured they would be allowed to proceed but were later stopped.
Following the baton charge, a large number of protesters sat at Collectorate Circle and blocked the road in protest. During the demonstration, Mahipal Singh Makrana administered a pledge urging those present not to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming municipal and panchayat elections. He appealed to supporters to register their protest through the electoral process and remain united in support of the organisation's demands.
An ambulance became stranded in the crowd during the rally. Protesters immediately cleared the way, allowing the ambulance to pass without delay. The action was also appreciated by local residents.
Mahipal Singh Makrana had started the march from Jaipur around 24 days earlier over demands related to the UGC rollback and issues concerning the Savarna community. The march reached Deshnok in Bikaner district and continued as the 'Savarna Nyay Yatra'. Reports had earlier stated that Makrana's health deteriorated during the journey, but he continued the march while using a wheelchair. After returning to Jaipur, a torch procession was held on Sunday, followed by the rally to the Collectorate on Monday.
Anticipating possible law and order issues, Jaipur Police had made extensive security arrangements in advance. Barricades were placed at Kalwar Pulia, Chomu Pulia, Panipetch and the Khasa Kothi area. Additional police personnel and special security teams were also deployed. Police officials said crowd control in sensitive areas was necessary to prevent any untoward incident.
During the rally, protesters crossed police barricades on multiple occasions. Pushing and shoving between police and protesters occurred in the Chomu Pulia and Collectorate areas. Some videos reportedly showed a police officer holding Mahipal Singh Makrana by the collar, after which the protest intensified further. In protest against the baton charge, demonstrators sat on the road beneath Khasa Kothi Pulia and continued their demonstration for several hours. The protest concluded at around 5:30 pm, after which participants dispersed peacefully.
The protest has triggered a fresh political controversy in Rajasthan. Karni Sena said its demands are related to social justice and the interests of youth, while the administration said maintaining law and order is its primary responsibility. The administration is reviewing the entire incident, and the situation remains normal.
