Protests erupts in Rajasthan as Bhajan Lal government scraps nine newly created districts
- In Reports
- 05:45 PM, Dec 31, 2024
- Myind Staff
Rajasthan is seeing large protests after the Bhajan Lal government decided to abolish nine out of the 17 districts that were created during the Gehlot administration. People in these nine districts are expressing their anger and there are warnings that the protests will grow stronger if the government doesn't change its decision.
The Bhajanlal government in Rajasthan, meanwhile, has formally announced the removal of nine districts and three divisional headquarters established by the previous Congress government under Ashok Gehlot in 2023, two days after the cabinet resolution on this matter. The notification only allowed for district modifications until December 31st, and now that the formal notification has been sent out, it is unlikely that the number of districts that can be changed will vary further. Massive protests have erupted across several districts. In Sanchore, protesters have blocked roads and local Congress leaders are even threatening to set themselves on fire to demand the restoration of the districts.
The unrest has also spread within the BJP, with the president of Anupgarh’s city board and several officials resigning in protest. Additionally, the Bikaner-Sriganganagar National Highway No. 911 was blocked for more than two hours on Sunday, leading to significant disruption. The Sangharsh Samiti has declared an indefinite closure of the markets in Anupgarh until their demands are met. They are also holding a long sit-in protest outside the collectorate. Meanwhile, protests are intensifying in Neemkathana, where protestors have threatened to stop train services. A large demonstration, led by Neemkathana MLA Suresh Modi was held at the Collectorate. Additionally, the Vyapar Mahasangh has announced an indefinite closure of Neemkathana’s markets, which have been shut since Monday morning.
A statement made by Madan Rathore, the state president of the BJP, has gone viral on social media, further escalating the situation. First, "Once new districts are created, who can end them?" Rathore later supported the government's decision, stating that the districts were created by the Gehlot administration just to satisfy MLAs and strengthen its weak majority. He also claimed that if Gehlot had returned to power, he wouldn't have kept these districts. Senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, have severely denounced the decision. The BJP government's justification for doing away with the districts was referred to as "unjust" by Gehlot.
He promised to visit the abolished districts to connect with the affected citizens, highlighting that his administration not only announced these districts but also provided resources, appointed officers and created new government job opportunities. He cautioned that reversing the decision to abolish these districts would reduce IAS and RAS cadre posts, limiting career growth for government employees. Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasara has declared a state-wide protest starting January 1 if the districts are not restored. With emotions running high and political leaders making strong statements, the situation in Rajasthan remains tense. The controversy surrounding the dissolution of nine districts is expected to worsen in the nine districts as a result of the government's announcement and clarification of its decision to disband nine new districts, as well as public agitations in the nine districts and opposition criticism of the decision.
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