The former royal family of Udaipur, Rajasthan, has become the topic of conversation due to a heated property dispute. At the heart of this controversy is the City Palace, where the entry to the son of the late Mahendra Singh Mewar, BJP MLA Vishwaraj Singh, has been denied, leading to unrest outside the majestic palace. In response, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar has come forward to clarify his position.
Lakshyaraj accused his cousin Vishwaraj Singh Mewar of using the situation for political gains. He urged that if there's a genuine concern, legal avenues should be pursued instead of political antics. He remarked that certain individuals, manipulating their political clout, are attempting to breach their domain.
'Some are pressuring the administration for selfish ends'
Arvind Singh’s son, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, addressed a press conference on Tuesday night, emphasizing that risking lives for rituals is unacceptable. He accused individuals in power of pressing the administration to fulfill personal motives by forcefully encroaching on his premises. Lakshyaraj mentioned preemptive alerts to the administration and public notices days ahead to avert such occurrences.
'The temple within City Palace remains open for responsible visitors'
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, representing the erstwhile royal family of Udaipur, marked the incident as unfortunate, expressing hope that justice would prevail with truth supported by the administration and the government. He emphasized the lawful path instead of treating oneself above the law, recalling facing similar situations four decades ago, promising to counter any illegal claims legally. Disputing the allegations, he confirmed the temple's accessibility within City Palace for all responsible visitors.
Before Lakshyaraj’s conference, Vishwaraj Singh, the BJP MLA and cousin, stated his denied right to visit the sacred Dhuni, asserting his intent to visit Eklingnathji Temple on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Udaipur District Magistrate Arvind Poswal issued a section 163 order, imposing restrictions up to a 500-meter perimeter around Jagdish Chowk until further notice. With restrictions on gatherings, arms display, and more, district authorities appointed a receiver for the contentious City Palace segment surveillance, with Ghat Darwaja SHO Yogendra Vyas stating control of the disputed region remains pending but under control as of Tuesday.
In connection to the unrest on Monday night, FIRs have been registered against unidentified persons, the collector revealed. Efforts are underway for reconciliation through dialogue between parties following the Monday stone-pelting incidents injuring three policemen, resulting in closed markets around City Palace on Tuesday.
The Core Dispute
Recently, Vishwaraj Singh was appointed head of the former Mewar royal family at a ceremony at Chittorgarh Fort. Following his father Mahendra Singh Mewar’s passing earlier this month, Vishwaraj Singh's itinerary included a visit to the Dhuni spiritual site within City Palace, followed by Eklingnathji Temple. Clan head Arvind Singh Mewar, supervising City Palace and temple affairs, denied his cousins' entry into City Palace.
