Outside His Constituency, Udaipur City MLA Calls Khanjipir ‘Mini Pakistan’; Outraged Residents Demand Probe

Udaipur- Residents of Khanjipir held a press conference at Noori Chowk on Friday and submitted a memorandum to the Rajasthan Governor, strongly condemning Udaipur City MLA Tarachand Jain’s description of the locality as “Mini Pakistan.”

The remark was made at a BJP rural assembly constituency workers’ conference recently. Addressing party workers, Jain said two of the main entry routes into Udaipur city were via Khanjipir and the railway station. He claimed that Khanjipir had earlier been known as a hideout for criminals, which led to it being called “Mini Pakistan.” He added that a Deputy Superintendent of Police office had now been established there, strengthening the police presence.

Jain further claimed that if crime data for the last 10 years were obtained from the Khanjipir police post, the area’s share of total crimes would be around 25 per cent. He cited Ayad as another locality that had faced similar conditions but said the situation there was also gradually improving.

During the same meeting, Jain referred to Punjab Governor Gulabchand Kataria. He said he had gone to receive Kataria as per protocol and that the Governor had praised development work at Mukherjee Chowk, remarking that work no one had expected had been completed. On the forthcoming municipal corporation elections, Jain said the BJP was in a strong position in the city and that Congress would not even cross double digits. He challenged Congress leaders to name even two wards from which they were confident of winning. On ticket distribution, he assured workers that the party was taking decisions after considering representation of all communities and the views of grassroot workers, and that no injustice would be done.

Community demand impartial inquiry

Khanjipir Sadr Abdul Kaleem Khan told the press conference that Khanjipir was an integral part of Udaipur and that its residents had lived for years with mutual brotherhood and social harmony. Labelling an entire area in this manner, he said, hurt the sentiments and dignity of the people.

He pointed out that Khanjipir falls in the rural assembly constituency, while Jain represents the Udaipur city seat. Commenting in such terms on an area outside his own constituency was inappropriate, he said. Elected representatives were expected to promote brotherhood and communal harmony.

Speakers at the press conference recalled Khanjipir’s contribution during the Second World War (1939–1945). Several local men had served in Maharana Bhupal Singh’s Sajjan Infantry. Those named included Subedar Chhote Khan, Gulsher Khan, Hamid Khan, Ashiq Ali, Mashook Ali, Dildar Khan, Sultan Khan, Alimuddin Khan, Wazir Khan, Abdul Rahman, Captain Chhote Khan II, Ehsan Khan and Fakir Ali.

Muslim community members also said that men from the area had served in the Indian Army in the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. Calling a locality with this record of military service “Mini Pakistan” was extremely unfortunate, they said.

The memorandum to the Governor seeks cognizance of the matter, an impartial inquiry into the remark, and appropriate legal and administrative action.

Those present included former councillor Rashid Khan, Firoz Ahmed Sheikh, Abdul Salam Khan, Ishaaq Khan, Mustafa Sheikh, Qadir Khan, Farooq Qureshi, Mohammad Saleem Sheikh and other responsible residents of the locality. They appealed to all citizens to maintain peace and harmony and said Khanjipir’s identity was one of patriotism, brotherhood, social cohesion and service to the nation, not of a controversial label.