In a fierce protest against the BJP-led government’s decision to revoke the divisional status of Banswara, the Congress organised a large outrage rally on Monday. Thousands of Congress supporters gathered outside the party office near the Collectorate, demanding the restoration of Banswara’s divisional status, and accusing the state government of betraying the public.
Dotasra Calls For A Strong Protest
Congress State President, Govind Singh Dotasra, addressing the rally, criticised the Bhajan Lal Sharma government for its decision to abolish Banswara’s divisional status.
Dotasra said, “This is not your uncle’s rule, you are a trustee!”
He accused the government of “snatching away” the rights of the people and vowed to “destroy everything from the road to the House” in protest. He also emphasised that Congress would raise this issue in the assembly.
“We will not rest until Banswara is given its rightful divisional status,” Dotasra asserted.
Dotasra pointed out that under the leadership of Mahendra Jeet Malviya, Banswara had been made a division with public support, and its abolition was an injustice to the people. He remarked that the BJP’s actions were a betrayal of the tribal community, the youth, and 36 communities in the area. He added that the benefits people enjoyed after Banswara became a division, such as easier access to divisional work, were now being taken away by the BJP government.
Juli Criticises BJP’s Failures
Leader of Opposition, Tikaram Juli, also condemned the BJP government for its actions, stating that the party had “snatched the gift” from the public.
Julie said, “This is a government that has taken away the rights of the people. The people of Banswara will not tolerate this.”
He further said that BJP leaders would not be allowed to enter Banswara until the divisional status was restored. He criticised the BJP for ignoring the promises made during the elections, including the “false” claim that Rs 15 lakh would be deposited in every citizen’s account and the promise of creating two crore jobs.
Juli accused the government of neglecting the poor, as no benefits such as kits, unemployment allowances, scholarships, and pensions had been delivered. He also emphasised the failure of the so-called ‘double-engine’ government, suggesting that a ‘single-engine’ government would have been more effective.
Congress Leaders Defend Banswara’s Divisional Status
Several Congress MLAs also spoke at the rally, emphasising the importance of Banswara’s divisional status. Arjun Singh Bamnia, MLA from Banswara, stated that the people of the region had been “forced to sing bhajans” by the BJP after the division was revoked. He vowed that the public would continue their fight until the divisional status was restored.
MLA Ramila Khadiya reiterated that the division had been created during the Gehlot government to benefit the TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) area. She criticised the current government for rolling back the division and emphasised that Congress would continue to fight for its restoration.
Banswara Movement Spreads To Grassroots Level
Ghatol MLA Nanalal Ninama mentioned that the movement would now be taken to the block and panchayat levels. He reminded the crowd that despite the challenges, Congress had won four MLAs from the region, defying the expectation that the party would fade away. Ninama expressed confidence that the public would continue their support for Congress in the fight against the “slip government.”
Dungarpur MLA Ganesh Ghogra also joined the rally, stressing that Congress had always worked for the welfare of tribals, unlike the BJP, which he accused of being the “party of the rich.”
Government’s Reversal Of Divisional Status Sparks Anger
The protest rally was triggered by the Rajasthan government’s decision in December 2024 to abolish three newly created divisions—Banswara, Pali, and Sikar. The divisions were established by the previous Ashok Gehlot government but were reversed by the current BJP government, causing widespread dissatisfaction among the public, especially in tribal regions.
The Congress party has strongly opposed this move, arguing that Banswara’s divisional status was crucial for the development of the area and for ensuring the rights of the tribal communities. The protest in Banswara represents a broader dissatisfaction with the state government’s decisions, and Congress leaders are determined to continue their fight to restore the divisional status.
As the issue gains momentum, the Congress is set to raise the matter in the assembly, ensuring that the voices of the people of Banswara are heard loud and clear.
