Jaipur:

The simmering feud between rival royal factions spilled over to Tuesday. This time, by way of warning.

Police officers surrounded the 450-year-old City Palace in Udaipur after the unrest on Monday night when Vishvaraj Singh, the new Maharana of Mewar, was blocked from entering by his uncle, Arvind Singh, and his son, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar.

“People in political positions should not misuse their position and power with the government to enter our home,” said Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, warning his cousin Vishvaraj Singh, a BJP MLA.

“People cannot force themselves into our home. Legal options are open,” he added.

Vishvaraj Singh — the BJP MLA from Rajsamand from where his wife Mahima Kumari is the sitting MP — was formally declared the heir to the Mewar dynasty at a traditional coronation ceremony in the historic Chittorgarh fort 12 days after the death of his father Mahendra Singh Mewar. To take up his post, Vishvaraj needed to pray at a family shrine inside the City Palace fort and then to Eklingnath Ji temple to finish the ritual.

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 and now the decision regarding entry will be taken by the administrator.

“I want to clarify that Eklingji Mandir is open for all. Mandir is not for a show of strength. It’s open for all. Please go for worship,” said Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar.

“We will go by rule of law. We cannot take law in our hands. Let’s not vitiate the atmosphere,” he added.

The dispute between two factions of this family dates back to the eighties when Vishwaraj and Lakshay Raj’s grandfather, the late Maharana Bhagwat Singh handed over all the trusts that administer forts palaces and temples of the royals to his younger son Arvind Singh Mewar.

Since then the family has been divided into two factions and Vishwendra and his late father Mahendra Singh have been kept out of the city palace. 

Jaipur:

Former BJP MP and member of the erstwhile Mewar royal family Mahendra Singh Mewar died at a private hospital in Udaipur on Sunday. He was 83.

He had been undergoing treatment at the hospital for the last several days, sources in the family said.

“He breathed his last on Sunday,” a source added.

Mahendra Singh Mewar was a descendant of Maharana Pratap, the 16th-century Rajput king who ruled Mewar until he died in 1597.

He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Chittorgarh seat in 1989 on a BJP ticket.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, BJP state president Madan Rathore, Chittorgarh MP and former BJP state president CP Joshi and other leaders conveyed their condolences.

“I am deeply saddened by the demise of former Chittorgarh MP and member of the erstwhile Mewar royal family Mahendra Singh Mewar ji, who made an invaluable contribution to social and political life,” Modi posted on X.

“He remained engaged in preserving and enhancing the heritage of Rajasthan throughout his life. He worked with full dedication to serve the people. His work for social welfare will always remain a source of inspiration,” he said condoling the demise.

“I am saddened to hear the news of the demise of former MP Maharana Shri Mahendra Singh Ji Mewar. I pray to the Lord to grant a place to the departed soul in his feet and give the family the strength to bear this immense grief,” Sharma said on X.

“His demise is sad, painful and an irreparable loss for the region and the state. His contribution and work in the society will always be remembered. Everyone will continue to get inspiration from his life,” Joshi said.

Mahendra Singh Mewar’s son Vishvaraj Singh Mewar is the BJP MLA from the Nathdwara constituency of Rajsamand district. His daughter-in-law Mahima Kumari is the BJP MP from Rajsamand. PTI SDA AS AS