Guj: Karni Sena Chief Detained Ahead Of Planned Protest At BJP HQ Against Rupala’s Candidature

Karni Sena National President Raj Shekhawat was detained by police outside the Ahmedabad airport on Tuesday, just hours before his scheduled plan to gherao the BJP’s Gujarat headquarters in Gandhinagar. The detention came amidst escalating tensions following Union Minister Parshottam Rupala’s controversial remarks about the Rajput community. Assistant Commissioner of Police (G Division) VN Yadav confirmed the detention saying, “We have detained Raj Shekhawat from the airport”, news agency PTI reported.

Shekhawat had called for a protest against Rupala’s remarks and the BJP’s refusal to withdraw his candidature for the Rajkot Lok Sabha seat.

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Row Over Parshottam Rupala’s Remarks On Rajputs And Protest Call

Rupala’s remarks, made during an address in Rajkot on March 22, were perceived as derogatory by members of the Rajput community, leading to widespread outrage and demands for Rupala’s removal as a candidate.

A video of the detainment was shared by X account of the Karni Sena leader.

पगड़ी केवल राज शेखावत जी की नही बल्कि पूरे क्षत्रिय समाज की उतरी है.. इसका जवाब मिलेगा pic.twitter.com/dDGma3ilEg

— Dr Raj Shekhawat (@IAMRAJSHEKHAWAT) April 9, 2024

The Union Minister had said that erstwhile ‘maharajas’ succumbed to the persecution of foreign rulers as well as the Britishers. He also commented that these ‘maharajas’ broke bread with these rulers and also married off their daughters to them.  

After he resigned from the BJP amid the row, Shekhawat on Monday announced plans to gherao the state BJP headquarters, ‘Kamalam,’ at 2 pm on Tuesday, urging Kshatriya community members and supporters to join the protest with saffron flags and sticks, according to PTI’s report. Tight security measures were implemented at the BJP headquarters in anticipation of the protest, following the Rajput community’s threat to carry out demonstrations.

Shekhawat was whisked away by a police team today as soon as he emerged from the Ahmedabad airport, the report stated.

Despite Rupala’s apology for his remarks protests have persisted across Gujarat with the Rajput community steadfast in its demand for Rupala’s removal as a candidate.d discontent over the issue. The row occurs against the backdrop of looming Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat, scheduled to take place on May 7.