Political row erupts in Rajasthan over student leader’s arrest at university-OxBig News Network

 JAIPUR

The arrest of former Rajasthan University Students’ Union president Nirmal Chaudhary on the university campus during an examination on Saturday has triggered a political row in the State

.Mr. Chaudhary, who was reportedly detained by plainclothes police while appearing for an exam, was later formally arrested in connection with a 2022 criminal case.

The charges against him include unlawful assembly, blocking a road, obstructing government work, misbehaving with a senior police officer, and damaging public property during a protest.

Sangaria MLA and State Youth Congress president Abhimanyu Poonia, who was present at the scene, accompanied Mr. Chaudhary to the Gandhi Nagar police station.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Jaipur-East) Tejaswani Gautam said Mr. Poonia was not taken into custody but voluntarily sat in the police vehicle with Mr. Chaudhary.

However, the Congress alleged that both leaders were detained and condemned the police action, calling it a violation of democratic rights.

The incident follows a recent protest led by Mr. Chaudhary and Mr. Poonia outside the mortuary of Sawai Man Singh Government Hospital in Jaipur. The demonstration was held to demand justice for Rakesh Bishnoi, a resident doctor from Jodhpur who died by suicide, allegedly under pressure from a senior. The protest was called off after the government agreed to a speedy probe and financial aid for Dr. Bishnoi’s family.

Political fallout

The Congress accused the BJP-led State government of retaliatory action against the youth leaders for supporting the protest.

Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot criticised the arrest, calling it “undemocratic and unjust”. “The Bharatiya Janata Party government first did not even listen to Dr. Bishnoi’s family, and when these public representatives joined their protest seeking justice, they were implicated in the criminal case,” the Congress leader posted on X.

Mr. Chaudhary won the student union election as an Independent in 2022 during the Congress regime. State Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra, Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully, and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot condemned the police action.

Mr. Jully said such actions “reek of dictatorial tendencies”, while Mr. Pilot accused the BJP government of targeting Opposition voices.

“If the administration acts out of political vendetta against Opposition leaders, we will not remain silent,” Mr. Pilot told reporters.

(Those in distress may contact Sanjivini, Society for Mental Health suicide prevention helpline: 011-40769002.)