NEW DELHI: Udaipur witnessed a heated confrontation on Monday night as tensions flared between two factions of the erstwhile royal family of Mewar, resulting in stone pelting and a standoff at the historic City Palace.
The clash followed the coronation of BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar as the 77th Maharana of Mewar earlier that day at Chittorgarh Fort.
The ceremony came after the recent passing of Vishvaraj Singh’s father, Mahendra Singh Mewar. However, the event was overshadowed by a long-standing feud between Mahendra Singh Mewar and his estranged younger brother, Arvind Singh Mewar. Both are descendants of the legendary Rajput king Maharana Pratap.
City Palace entry denied
Hours after the coronation, Vishvaraj Singh and his supporters were denied entry into the City Palace and the family deity’s Eklingnath Temple in Udaipur. Both sites are managed by Arvind Singh, who serves as the chairman and managing trustee of the Shree Eklingji Trust.
Arvind Singh issued a public notice opposing Vishvaraj Singh’s planned visit as part of post-coronation rituals, further intensifying the family dispute.
When Vishvaraj Singh and his supporters attempted to enter the City Palace, tensions escalated into a physical altercation. Stone pelting ensued between his supporters and those loyal to Arvind Singh and Dr Lakshay Raj Singh Mewar, Arvind Singh’s son.
Administration steps in
To control the situation, the district administration intervened. Udaipur district collector Arvind Kumar Poswal assured the public that law and order had been restored.
“The situation is under control. Talks are ongoing with both palace representatives and society members. Certain issues have been resolved, while discussions continue on others,” he told reporters.
The administration also took the disputed Dhuni Mata Temple, another contested site, into receivership to prevent further clashes. “If either group wishes to file a case, it will be registered,” Poswal added.
Long-standing family feud
The dispute is the latest chapter in the long-standing rivalry within the royal family. Vishvaraj Singh’s anointment as Maharana has deepened the divide, with factions loyal to Arvind Singh opposing his ascension.
Supporters of Nathdwara MLA Vishvaraj Singh camped at Jagdish Chowk, a few kilometers away from the City Palace after being barred entry, further fueling the confrontation.
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