By?Akhileshwari Anand Raj
A week of violence ensued in four districts of Rajasthan over the death of Anandpal Singh, a gangster from Nagaur. These groups have been rallying relentlessly for a CBI probe into his death as they allege he was killed in a fake encounter. It finally put to rest after the Rajasthan government conceded to their demands and referred this case to the CBI. This comes just days after the Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that there was no question of a CBI probe and the protestors could move court if they wanted it. This complete reversal in the government?s stand comes after mounting pressure from the Rajput community and the fear of losing their vote bank.
Anandpal Singh was a 44 year old gangster in Rajasthan from the Ravana Rajput community. He was wanted in 37 cases, several of them for serious offences such as murder and extortion. His two decade long career started with him unsuccessfully contesting panchayat elections in 2000. He was arrested in 2012, murdered two rival gang members inside prison in 2014 and made a scintillating escape from police custody in 2015.
He was shot down in a police encounter last month, and his family refused to cremate his body until a CBI probe was ordered to look into the legitimacy of the encounter. His body was kept for twenty days in protest, being cremated only on the recommendation of the state human rights commission to the government.
His death started a series of demonstrations across northern Rajasthan, which led to blocked roads and vandalised public property. Section 144 of the Cr.PC which prohibits an assembly of over four people was enforced in these districts. The tipping point was reached when protests turned violent on 12th July. A crowd of over 80000 had gathered in Sanward to pay homage to Singh, where the protests left one person dead and over 25 policemen injured. Further, a police team was attacked and four buses and one officer?s vehicle were set on fire.
Shri Rajput Sabha chief Giriraj Singh Lotwara was amongst the many people present when the clashes broke out. As per a report quoting him, he was talking to the DG and other officers about the CBI investigation. During this conversation, some people indulged in violence. It was clearly not those who were in the protests or any Rajput leaders, but ?outside elements.? He also stated that the police should start an investigation into the same.
These Rajput groups had also called for a march to Jaipur on 22nd July, the day BJP president Amit Shah visited the city. Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder of the Rajput Karni Sena, stated that a protest would have been held on 22nd July with so many people that ?when they their feet together, the earth will shake.? ?However, this was called off after the government announcement, and the protesting outfit called ?Sarv Samaj Samiti? was dissolved.
Despite the fact that he was a known criminal, he became the face of these Rajput protests because of his relatively backward background from which he broke through. He was a Ravana Rajput, which is considered as a lower caste inferior for marriage; yet he rode a horse to his wedding to make a powerful point. Another reason for these protests is their historcial resentment towards Jats, the other significant community in Rajasthan. Singh played an active role in ending the reign of Jat gangsters, carrying the historical domination of Rajputs forward. This is clearly an act of an entire community asserting itself. The Jats have managed to get reservations as OBCs which help them with government jobs and already control one-fourth of Rajasthan?s assembly constituencies.
Political pressure for the probe also played an important factor, as opposition leaders of the state and ex-royals backed the protestors? demand. The state government?s offer to appease them was to constitute a special investigation team, but this was not accepted. Moreover, criticism also came from within the party; BJP MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi, the son-in-law of the revered Rajasthan community leader late Bhairon Singh Shekawat, wrote to Amit Shah. He stated that the Rajput community had been insecure ever since the protests had turned deadly, claiming they were harassed by the police.
It is pertinent to note that the Rajput community has sent 21 BJP MLAs to the 200-member assembly. This has forced the Raje government to change its stance not only on recommending the CBI probe, but also to accede to various other demands put forth by these groups. This includes allowing Singh?s daughter, who studies in Dubai, to return to India without any hassle. Rajput leaders were assured that the cases registered against the agitators would not be pursued, and they would be allowed to get bail. The owners of the house in which the encounter took place would be free from government observation. The government also referred the death of Surendra Singh, the person who succumbed to injuries after the protests, to the CBI. However, it did maintain that it was up to the CBI to decide upon further course of action with respect to the investigation of these cases.
