In a significant escalation of tensions in Jaipur, the Rajasthan Police resorted to a lathi charge and the use of water cannons against workers of the Shree Rajput Karni Sena. The incident occurred during a large-scale rally organized to demand the roll back of University Grants Commission (UGC) policies and to highlight various grievances of the Savarna society, while the atmosphere turned volatile as protesters clashed with law enforcement officials, leading to several injuries and a standoff in the heart of the city.
Confrontation with Police and Use of Water Cannons
The rally, which saw a massive turnout, witnessed moments of intense friction between the demonstrators and the police force. During the march, a physical scuffle broke out between the protesters and DCP West Prashant Kiran. As the situation began to spiral out of control, the police deployed water cannons to disperse the gathering. In a daring move, some protesters were seen attempting to climb into the water cannon van to stop the operation. Amidst the chaos, an ambulance passing through the area became trapped in the crowd. However, showing a sense of responsibility, the protesters coordinated to clear a path and ensure the emergency vehicle could pass through safely.
The Route and Breaking of Barricades
The rally was organized under the leadership of Mahipal Singh Makrana, the President of Shree Rajput Karni Sena. The march commenced from Ravan Gate on Kalwar Road with the intended destination being the Collectorate Circle, while throughout the route, the police had set up multiple layers of security. The first major hurdle for the protesters was at Kalwar Pulia, where police had placed barricades to halt their progress. However, the determined workers managed to push past the barricades and continue their march. A similar scene unfolded at Chomu Pulia, where another round of pushing and shoving occurred between the Karni Sena workers and the police personnel.
Escalation at Khasakothi Pulia
The original plan involved submitting a memorandum to the District Collector at the Collectorate Circle. However, for reasons not immediately clear, the memorandum couldn't be handed over as planned. Following this, the protesters decided to change their course and began marching towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state headquarters, while to prevent the crowd from reaching the political office, the police established a firm blockade under the Khasakothi Pulia. It was at this location that the confrontation reached its peak. The police used force to stop the advancing crowd, leading to a full-scale lathi charge to scatter the protesters who were adamant about moving forward.
Allegations of Misconduct and Injuries
The aftermath of the lathi charge left several protesters injured, with reports of head injuries among some participants. Mahipal Singh Makrana himself was at the forefront of the rally when the scuffle intensified. Visuals from the scene showed a policeman grabbing Makrana by his collar while taking him away, while expressing his anger over the police action, Mahipal Singh Makrana stated that they had conducted a peaceful journey covering a distance of 800 kilometers without any violence. He condemned the use of water cannons on women and daughters participating in the rally. He further alleged that the police had reneged on their promise to allow the rally to proceed peacefully. According to Makrana, one of the protesters suffered a broken leg during the police action. In protest against the lathi charge, a large number of demonstrators staged a sit-in on the road under the Khasakothi Pulia, demanding accountability for the use of force.