Jaipur royals to take battle over land to the streets

Eight years after former Rajmata Gayatri Devi sat on dharna against the land mafia trying to usurp the land donated by her to develop a public park, Jaipur’s erstwhile royalty is once again ready to take its battle to the streets albeit this time against the government.

Even as back channel efforts are afoot to put pressure on the state government, former Maharani Padmini Devi has issued an emotional public appeal seeking the support of people, especially the Rajput community, saying that Jaipur Development Commissioner (JDC) has humiliated the royal family. In a meeting with community leaders, Padmini Devi said, “The JDA has labelled the royal family as thief of 12-bigha land. The officers are behaving like dictator.”

Her appeal was also published in all newspapers this morning. It touched an emotional cord, reminding people of the sacrifice by her father-in-law, Maharaja Man Singh and her husband Brigadier Bhawani Singh. “The royal family has always worked for the development and betterment of Jaipur and its people. It has provided so much land for hospitals, schools and government offices. However, they were insulted by the actions of the JDC,” the former Maharani said while asking people to come in large numbers at Tripolia Gate, the entry gate to the royal family’s city palace, to show their solidarity on Thursday. “This royal family was always yours and will always be yours,” she added.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Padmini Devi’s daughter Diya Kumari who is also a BJP MLA has met union home minister, Rajnath Singh to complain against the state government and Jaipur Development Commissioner (JDC), Shikhar Agarwal. After Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Jaswant Singh, Rajasthan’s Rajput community has looked up to Rajnath Singh as they consider him the tallest leader of their community in the country.

The Royal family and the Rajput community want Rajnath Singh to use his clout to get chief minister Vasundhara Raje to resolve this issue.