Jaipur’s former royal family holds protest against JDA

Jaipur, Sep 1 (PTI) The erstwhile royal family of Jaipurtoday took its battle with Jaipur Development Authority overRaj Mahal Palace to the streets with ‘Rajamata’ Padmini Devitaking out a rally in which scores of her supportersparticipated. Accusing the JDA of highhandedness, Devi said that herfamily which was respected by the city had been hurt andinsulted by the actions of the Jaipur Development Authority(JDA), which last week sealed the main entrance to the Palaceclaiming that it was on its land. In a show of strength, Devi began a march from citypalace and reached to Tripolia gate where she addressed thepeople from an open gypsy. Rajput leaders including LokendraSingh Kalvi and others were present in the rally. Dev expressed her gratitude to the people for showsolidarity with the family and said that she would meet thepeople of the city on a regular basis. After her address, the march resumed from Tripolia gatefor the Raj Mahal palace located in C-scheme area. "The entire Jaipur is with us today and I am overwhelmed.Please be with us," Devi said. "I was very much hurt over the high handed action by JDAat the Raj Mahal Palace," she told her supporters. Devi also alleged that many people who were coming fromother parts of the state to participate in the rally werestopped by the administration "which is another injustice". In a sudden action, JDA last week sealed the mainentrance to the royal family’s Raj Mahal Palace at C-Schemearea in the city claiming ownership. The family has already moved in the court against the JDAaction. The ‘Rajmata’ (Queen Mother) questioned the "hasty"manner in which the JDA acted and voiced hope that RajasthanChief Minister Vasundhara Raje would do justice. Devi’s daughter Diya Kumar is a BJP MLA. The state government has remained tightlipped on theconfrontation. However, Congress today took a swipe at thegovernment, saying its priporities were misplaced. State PCC chief Sachin Pilot said the party will notcomment on the matter as it was subjudice but the "vendetta"action had exposed the state government. "There are issues of dalits and education which was aremore important and need the state government’s attention. Itis for the BJP MLA to take up the issue of treatment meted outto her family," he said. PTI SDART