Jaipur: A day after police used lathi-charge and water cannons to disperse “Sarv Samaj” protesters in the city, the body Tuesday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Bhajan Lal Sharma govt, demanding action against police officers involved in the use of force and warning of an indefinite Jaipur bandh if its demands are not met.At a news conference in Jaipur, Sarv Samaj protest coordinator and Shri Rajput Karni Sena president Mahipal Singh Makrana alleged that a protester died due to police action during Monday’s rally. He identified the deceased as Devraj Singh (27), a resident of Palara village in Kuchaman, claiming his health deteriorated after an alleged impact from a police water cannon.“Singh was being taken to SMS Hospital but died of a heart attack before he could be admitted. He was cremated at his native village Tuesday morning. We believe the police action led to his death,” alleged Makrana.He demanded a judicial inquiry, Rs 1 crore compensation for the family, and a govt job for one family member. Makrana accused the police of using “indiscriminate force”, including against women, during the protest march.“The govt has seven days to identify and remove police officers responsible for the lathi-charge and water cannon action. If no action is taken by then, Sarv Samaj will call for an indefinite Jaipur bandh,” said Makrana. He warned that police actions may have political repercussions in upcoming local body elections, hinting at the potential for the emergence of a third political front.Monday’s rally, which started from Ravan Gate on Kalwar Road, faced barricades, including at Khasa Kothi Pulia, as some protesters attempted to move toward BJP state headquarters. Police action to disperse the crowd led to traffic snarls across central Jaipur for hours.Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot said, “The death of a youth injured during yesterday’s protest in Jaipur is deeply tragic. The government must order a fair investigation, fix accountability and provide adequate support to the bereaved family.”Among Sarv Samaj’s key demands is that chief minister Sharma take “concrete” steps with Centre to secure the rollback of University Grants Commission’s “Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions Regulations, 2026,” which the group described as “anti-upper-caste”. The regulations, notified on Jan 13, 2026, to replace the 2012 anti-discrimination guidelines, have been stayed by Supreme Court since Jan 29, with the 2012 rules reinstated until further orders.“The BJP govt’s argument that the regulations have been stayed by the apex court does not mean these have been withdrawn by the Centre govt,” said Makrana.Makrana said the protest march attracted participation from various castes, responding to critics who suggested it only represented upper-caste interests. “The person whose death we are raising belonged to OBC community, proving this is not a movement of one community,” he said. Makrana criticised both BJP and Congress for their lack of support to the protest, saying, “Both have abandoned the upper-caste communities.”
