Coronation of new Mewar ‘maharana’ highlights power struggle in erstwhile royal family

PTI Udaipur (Raj): Iconic Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap fought against Mughal ruler Akbar nearly 450 ago for self respect but his descendent Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, who became the titular head of the family Monday, had to struggle to complete the rituals of accession to the “throne” in Udaipur. Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, a BJP MLA, faced challenge from his uncle Arvind Singh Mewar and his son Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar who allegedly denied him entry to the palace.

Vishvaraj Singh wanted to go to offer prayer at a ‘dhuni’ (sacred fire) in the city palace premises and then to Eklingnath Ji temple to finish the ritual. Earlier in the day on Monday, Vishvaraj was anointed as the titular head in a ceremony in Chittorgarh fort following the demise of his father Mahendra Singh Mewar recently. Property dispute is at the core of this entire episode, which apparently has turned into the battle of who is supreme. City palace and Eklingnathji temple are under the control of Arvind Singh. However, after violent protests outside the city palace erupted on Monday night, district administration has appointed a receiver for the controversial portion of city palace where ‘Dhuni’ is located and now the decision regarding entry will be taken by the administrator.

The issue stands unresolved. However, the situation is under control, district officials said. “What Lakshayraj Singh has done is a blot on the history of Mewar. By not allowing Vishvaraj Singh to pay obeisance at the dhuni, he has not only hurt the glorious legacy of Mewar but has also disgraced himself,” Randheer Singh Bhindar, the head of erstwhile royal family of Bhindar, told PTI on Tuesday. Bhindar said that he and others talked to Lakshyraj Singh and asked him to act in accordance with the tradition but he remained adamant. “We asked him that Vishvraj will return after having darshan of the dhuni and no one will be occupying that place. The Rajput community is furious with him,” he said. Bhindar, a former MLA, said that Lakshyaraj might have thought that if Vishvaraj is allowed to enter the City Palace and he completes the ritual then it will be validated that he is the head of the family.

Expressing shock, Devvrat Singh, head of erstwhile Salumbar royal family, said the way titular head was treated yesterday has given a “horrible” message across the country. “It was just a ten minute ceremony at the Dhuni but he was not allowed. This was the most immature decision and a foolish thing to do.