Udaipur witnessed chaotic scenes on Monday night as clashes broke out and stones were pelted outside the iconic City Palace. Supporters of BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar were denied entry into the palace, escalating tensions in a feud involving the descendants of Maharana Pratap, the legendary Rajput king.
The unrest followed Vishvaraj Singh’s anointment as the titular head of the erstwhile royal family of Mewar earlier in the day, succeeding his father, Mahendra Singh Mewar, who passed away earlier this month. However, a long-standing feud with his uncle, Arvind Singh Mewar, cast a shadow over the ceremonial occasion.
Videos circulating on social media captured the tense standoff. One clip showed Vishvaraj Singh sitting outside the palace gate with his supporters, while another depicted heavy stone-pelting from within the palace premises.
Trouble began when Vishvaraj Singh attempted to visit the Eklingnath temple and the City Palace as part of the royal rituals, but was barred from entry. The temple and palace are under the jurisdiction of Arvind Singh Mewar, who is the chairman and managing trustee of the Shree Eklingji Trust. Arvind Singh had issued a public notice opposing Vishvaraj Singh’s visit.
Supporters of Vishvaraj Singh attempted to breach barricades but were met with resistance from the police, prompting a scuffle.
The situation escalated further, leading to a large police deployment to maintain law and order. District Collector Arvind Kumar Poswal and Superintendent of Police Yogesh Goyal engaged in discussions with both sides in an effort to defuse the situation, but talks remained inconclusive.
Following the clashes, the district administration announced the receivership of the disputed Dhuni Mata Temple site, a key point of contention in the feud.
Speaking to the media, Collector Poswal confirmed that the situation was under control. “We have agreed on certain issues, while discussions on others are ongoing,” he stated, adding that both parties have been given the option to file formal complaints.
The dispute reflects deeper divisions within the Mewar royal family. Mahendra Singh Mewar and his younger brother Arvind Singh had been estranged for years over the management of the family’s properties and cultural legacy.
As Vishvaraj Singh relocated to Jagdish Chowk with his supporters, the district administration continued its efforts to mediate the conflict and prevent further escalation.
The incident has brought the internal discord of the royal family into the public eye, raising questions about the future of their shared heritage and traditions.
