Post-Election, Dissent Grows Among Kshatriya Community in Rajasthan, Heightened Concerns Over Bhati's Security

Jaipur- The Kshatriya community continues to express dissent, particularly in the aftermath of the recent voting period. In Rajasthan, from Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi's murder to Parshottam Rupala's remarks, and now security concerns for independent candidate Ravindra Singh Bhati, discontent among the largely warrior community persists, fueled by various grievances including the dwindling allocation of Kshatriya tickets and a myriad of other factors.

Though elections have concluded in Rajasthan and the state awaits the results in a month, the continued dissent among the Rajput community is worrisome for the state government.

The 12 Rajasthan seats that went to polls in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections saw a lower voter turnout compared to 2019. While turnout fell across the 102 constituencies that voted on April 19, some now suggest that Rajput/Kshatriya anger against the BJP was a factor. Rajputs, a core vote bank of the BJP, are reported to have stayed away from the polling booths this time.

In recent weeks, protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have become increasingly common in states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, reflecting the frustration within the Kshatriya community.

Most recently, supporters of Ravindra Singh Bhati, an independent MLA and candidate contesting from the Barmer-Jaisalmer Lok Sabha seat, have taken to the streets in Jaipur, demanding security in light of death threats received by Bhati on social media.

The issue gained prominence when Bhati's supporters submitted a memorandum at the local level, advocating for Z Plus security and appropriate action. However, their demands went unmet, prompting Bhati's supporters, predominantly from the Rajput community, to stage demonstrations at the Jaipur Collectorate on Thursday.

They vociferously demanded Z Plus security for Bhati and issued a stern warning that failure to address their demands would lead to significant agitation. The threat, allegedly issued by gangster Rohit Godara, has sparked widespread resentment among the Rajput community across the state.

Various Rajput organizations converged at the Jaipur Collectorate, insisting on providing Z Plus security to Bhati. Representatives of the Rajput community warned the government of potential consequences if their demands were ignored, indicating a large-scale movement involving people from all communities alongside the Rajput community. Although the protesters refrained from forcibly entering the Collectorate, the police administration took preventive measures by closing the gates.

Ram Singh Chandlai, President of the Rajput Sabha, criticized the government, questioning why elected representatives like Bhati face such threats. Chandlai alleged a deliberate conspiracy against Bhati and expressed concerns over the safety of his supporters and voters. He emphasized that the community demands immediate security measures for Bhati and vowed to escalate protests if necessary.

The threat against Bhati echoes previous instances, including the broad day light murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, a prominent figure within the Kshatriya community, due to alleged negligence by the government.

Last year, Gogamedi also received threats. Despite repeatedly demanding security from the police and government, Gogamedi was not provided protection. Tragically, on December 5, 2023, he was shot dead by miscreants.

The dissatisfaction among the Kshatriya community has been further exacerbated by recent political developments, including the defection of Umedaram Beniwal to the Congress party, enabling Bhati to remain a candidate in the Lok Sabha election.

The recent threat directed at Bhati on social media, attributed to an individual using the pseudonym Rohit Godara Kapurisar, underscores the prevailing tensions within the Kshatriya community.

The BJP's favoritism towards Jats has also strained its relationship with Rajputs. Rajasthan Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar's remark that the BJP is losing the Nagaur Lok Sabha seat because Rajputs haven't supported the party has gained widespread attention. Rajputs, who constitute around eight to nine percent of the state's population (though they claim to be 10 percent), wield significant influence in most Lok Sabha seats.

Even Ashok Gehlot has sought to capitalize on this Rajput discontent by engaging with various groups and addressing the Rupala controversy. If the BJP experiences losses in Rajasthan, it's likely to be attributed to the community's lack of participation.

The threat, coupled with longstanding grievances, has galvanized the community, prompting widespread protests and demands for immediate action to ensure the safety and security of its representatives.