'From 50 to 41': Protests rage over scrapping 9 Rajasthan districts

JAIPUR/BHILWARA: A day after the BJP govt announced its decision to denotify nine districts established during the previous Congress govt, widespread protests erupted across Rajasthan.

BJP justified its decision by stating that Congress ignored key feasibility factors, such as financial resources and population distribution.

Additionally, several districts reportedly lacked the requisite six to seven tehsils. However, the decision faced backlash from residents and opposition groups, who claimed it was driven by political vendetta.

Bandh observed in Shahpura to protest against decision
On Sunday, various political organisations warned of intensifying protests if the districts are not reinstated. In NeemKa-Thana, protesters burned tyres and threatened to escalate the agitation by halting train services. They alleged that the move was an attempt to settle political scores, ultimately harming the public.

Speaking to TOI, MLA Suresh Modi said, “From Tuesday, markets will be closed indefinitely. The demand to create Neem Ka Thana district has existed for the past 70 years, and it met all the requisite parameters. Now, to reach the district headquarters from the farthest point, villagers will have to travel a distance of 150km, with an average of 85km.”

Protests were also witnessed in Anoopgarh following its dissolution as a district. Local BJP leaders in the area submitted their resignations in protest. Kuldeep Jhakar, a protester, said, “BJP performed poorly in the state assembly elections in Sikar, Neem-Ka-Thana, Churu, and Ganganagar regions. This decision appears to be an act of political vengeance. It’s un fair and non-transparent, and people will continue to protest until it is rolled back.”

In Shahpura, the Shahpura District Bachao Samiti called for a bandh (shutdown) on Sunday. Avinash Sharma, a committee member, said, “It has been unanimously decided at a meeting to burn the effigy of chief minister at Trimurti Memorial on Monday at 11am. Following this, we will march to the Collectorate and submit a memorandum in protest. Shops remained closed in the morning, they began reopening after 1.30pm on Sunday.” BJP MLA from Shahpura, Lalaram Bairwa, also said he had strongly pitched for Shahpura to be retained as a district and made the case before CM Bhajan Lal Sharma.

Former state minister Sukhram Bishnoi announced a sit-in protest outside the Collectorate in Sanchore on Monday. “People of Sanchore earned the district status after a long struggle. The Jalore district is 250km away. The relief provided by Congress was snatched due to political vendetta,” he said. In Kekri, Ramavatar Sikhwal, the convener of the District Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, reached Teen Batti Tiraha at Ajmeri Gate to stage a headshaving pr otest. However, the event was postponed due to police interv ention. A separa te protest was held at the Sawar sub-divisional headquarters in Kekri on Sunday.

Dudu, the smallest of the districts with only three tehsils, also witnessed protests.