Prohibitory orders in Nagaur ahead of opposing rallies by Rajput and Jat outfits
The Nagaur district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prevent 'caste tensions'' ahead of the rallies called by Rajput and Jat outfits in the district, officials said.
The rallies were called following objectionable comments made by Nagaur Lok Sabha MP Hanuman Beniwal.
According to orders issued Thursday, Nagaur Collector and District Magistrate Arun Kumar Purohit said: '(The) Kshatriya Karni Sena is appealing to organise a Mahasammelan at the district headquarters, Nagaur, on 08.06.2025 and in protest against this, Tejveer Sena is calling for gathering in village Kharnal. Due to the negative social comments being made by both the parties on social media regarding the above two proposed programs, and with both the programs being organised on the same day, there is a possibility of mutual conflict / caste tension and law and order being affected'.
Citing these circumstances and to maintain peace and law and order in the district, the Collector imposed prohibitory order under section 163 of the BNSS. The provision deals with the power to issue orders in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. As part of the order, there is a complete ban on rallies, protests and processions, etc. till June 20.
The tensions began after Beniwal, mainly viewed as a Jat leader, made allegedly objectionable claims against Rajputs with regards to Mughals.
In response, Gujarat based Raj Shekhawat, the self-styled leader of the Kshatriya Karni Sena, called a Kshatriya Swabhimaan Asmita Mahasammelan 'to protect the self-respect of our ancestors, kshatrani, Gods and Goddesses and great men'. He said that Beniwal 'has hurt Kshatriya pride' and that it wasn't the first time. 'Either we will create history, or become history ourselves,' he had said.
Demanding the termination of Beniwal's Lok Sabha membership and seeking police action against him, Shekhawat has been holding meetings in Nagaur over the last couple of weeks to mobilise support for the rally. An outsider, his campaign received a shot in the arm after he met BJP leader Dhananjai Khimsar, son of Rajasthan cabinet minister Gajendra Singh. However, Dhananjai indicated that it was a simple conversation since 'all are welcome at his place' and that it wasn't a meeting to chalk out a 'strategy.' Attacking those spreading 'rumours', he said that 'dialogue is the essence of service and politics.'
In Nagaur and beyond, Shekhawat's actions have largely been opposed by both Rajput and Jat outfits. Shri Amar Educational Society, an esteemed Rajput outfit in Nagaur, said that the rally 'will have a negative impact on the mutual brotherhood of 36 quam (communities)' and had requested the district collector to prohibit Shekhawat's rally. Jat Samaj Samanvay Samiti, noting the 'magnanimity' of the Rajputs for the demand to prohibit Shekhawat rally, called it a 'milestone' towards ensuring harmonious environment in the district.
While some senior leaders have maintained their silence over the issue, Jat student leaders Nirmal Choudhary, associated with Congress, and Ramavatar Palsaniya, among others, have openly led support to Beniwal.
Jat outfit Tejveer Sena, which had called another rally in Kharnal, welcomed the administration's move to prohibit the Karni Sena rally. Claiming that their Kharnal programme is 'completely religious, peaceful and cultural in nature, which has no connection with any kind of rally, demonstration or any activity that affects social harmony' Sena said that its sole objective is to visit Veer Tejaji temple in Kharnal and that it will proceed as planned.
Asked about the Tejveer Sena's plans to go ahead with its programme, Nagaur Superintendent of Police Narayan Togas told The Indian Express that 'people will not be permitted to gather at any one place' for the duration of the prohibitory orders.
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