Gurjar leader Vijay Singh Bainsla on Saturday, 30 May issued a sharp warning to politicians across Rajasthan, asserting that the Gurjar community must not be treated as a vote bank or taken for granted. His remarks came during a programme held after the installation of statues at Kushali Darra, and were accompanied by a separate, tense incident involving a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator.

Bainsla's Warning to Politicians

Addressing community members at the event, Bainsla said the Gurjar community was not a commodity meant only for harvesting votes. He warned that if not respected, the community knew how to respond. He directly called out what he described as two-and-a-half to three years of exploitation, saying that era must now end.

Invoking the legacy of the late Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsla, he said the community had been taught to think critically and was fully capable of protecting its own interests. Using a pointed metaphor, he said political leaders were like kites — they should be given only enough slack to fly, beyond which the string must be cut.

BJP MLA Gothwal Manhandled at Kushali Darra

The event also turned contentious after a video surfaced on social media showing Khandar MLA Jitendra Gothwal allegedly being manhandled by a section of the crowd following the statue installation at Kushali Darra. In the footage, Gothwal appears surrounded by agitated individuals before being escorted to safety by his Personal Security Officer (PSO).

Bainsla claimed that Gothwal had been specifically asked not to attend the gathering but arrived regardless, triggering anger among sections of the community. He said accumulated public frustration over the past two-and-a-half years had boiled over at the event.

What MLA Gothwal Said

Responding to the incident, Gothwal maintained that he had attended solely to pay tribute at the memorial gathering. He said he had always been, remained, and would continue to be ready to serve the Gurjar community. He noted that despite the rain, he made the effort to attend out of respect.

Gothwal said that during the event, some youths began raising slogans, and BJP workers and supporters reacted, causing the atmosphere to turn tense. Sensing the situation, he chose to leave. He added that in a democracy, everyone has the right to protest.

Broader Political Context

This comes amid growing signals that the Gurjar community — a significant electoral constituency in Rajasthan — is asserting greater political autonomy ahead of future electoral cycles. The incident at Kushali Darra reflects deepening frustration within the community over perceived neglect by mainstream political parties. Notably, this is not the first time Gurjar leaders have publicly confronted sitting legislators over community grievances in the state.

Whether political parties heed Bainsla's warning or treat it as routine pre-election posturing will likely shape Gurjar political alignments in the months ahead.