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Royal Row in Udaipur: Coronation of BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh Sparks City Palace Standoff

A coronation ceremony in Udaipur escalated into a dramatic standoff as BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar was denied entry into the City Palace, triggering a clash between supporters and trust authorities 

26-11-2024
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Udaipur witnessed high drama today as a dispute erupted within the erstwhile royal family following the coronation of BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar as the 77th Maharana of Mewar. Tensions flared when Vishvaraj Singh, accompanied by his supporters, was denied entry into the City Palace, now managed by a trust controlled by his cousin, Dr. Lakshay Raj Singh Mewar, and uncle, Shreeji Arvind Singh Mewar.

The situation spiraled after the refusal, with Vishvaraj Singh’s supporters attempting to breach the palace gates late in the evening, leading to stone-pelting from both sides. Visuals from the palace show chaotic scenes as three people sustained injuries while police struggled to control the crowd. Vishvaraj Singh has reportedly been at the site with his supporters for over five hours as district administration officials now step in to diffuse the standoff.

A Coronation Rooted in Tradition

The coronation ceremony, steeped in tradition, took place at the historic Chittorgarh Fort 12 days after the death of Vishvaraj Singh’s father, Mahendra Singh Mewar. The raj tilak was performed by an erstwhile noble who slashed his finger with a sword to anoint the new Maharana with blood, following a centuries-old custom. The Mewar dynasty, which claims lineage from the 8th-century ruler Bappa Rawal, is renowned for figures like Rana Pratap, who famously resisted the Mughal Empire at the Battle of Haldighati.

After the ceremony, Vishvaraj Singh sought blessings from family deities at the Dhooni Mata Temple within the City Palace and the Ekling Ji Shiva Temple, located 50 kilometers from Udaipur. However, entry into the City Palace was denied as both temples are under the administration of the Maharana Mewar Charitable Trust.

The local administration had attempted to mediate by proposing that a small group from Vishvaraj Singh’s procession be allowed entry, but the trust refused, citing concerns over trespassing and damage to property. Earlier in the day, the trust published a notice in local newspapers announcing their decision to prohibit entry into trust-managed premises.

An Ongoing Family Feud

The row has its roots in a decades-old legal battle over royal properties, which include palaces, temples, and forts managed by nine trusts. The dispute dates back to 1984 when the then-Maharana Bhagwat Singhji appointed his younger son, Arvind Singh, as the director of the trusts, effectively sidelining the elder son, Mahendra Singh, and his descendants.

This deep-seated division came to a head today as supporters of Vishvaraj Singh broke through barricades and attempted to storm the gates of the City Palace. The police had anticipated trouble, deploying additional personnel and setting up barricades, but the efforts fell short of containing the chaos.

Speaking to the media, Vishvaraj Singh called the situation "unfortunate," saying, “On one side are properties, but on the other are traditions that hold significant meaning. Denying access for blessings is against societal and cultural norms.”

The Road Ahead

The younger generation of the Mewar family continues to grapple with legal and cultural tensions over the administration of their ancestral heritage. With the stand-off showing no signs of immediate resolution, the dispute is likely to leave a lasting imprint on Udaipur, the City of Lakes.

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