A violent confrontation broke out between police and demonstrators in Jaipur on Wednesday evening, 1 July, after a Mahapanchayat of nomadic and semi-nomadic (DNT) communities at Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium ended with protesters attempting to march towards the Chief Minister's residence to press their demand for 10 per cent reservation. Police deployed tear gas and carried out a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd; around 50 protesters have been detained and more than a dozen people — including police personnel and local residents — were reportedly injured.

How the violence unfolded

The Mahapanchayat concluded at around 6 pm, after which participants announced a march to the Chief Minister's residence. Police had already erected barricades and deployed heavy security in anticipation. When protesters attempted to breach the barricades, a scuffle broke out that quickly escalated. Demonstrators allegedly pelted stones at police personnel and civilians, prompting authorities to respond with a lathi-charge and tear gas shelling.

The situation was subsequently brought under control, according to officials. Around 50 protesters were taken into custody in the aftermath.

What the police said

DCP (North) Karan Sharma said police had facilitated a meeting between a delegation of protesters and senior government officials, and that the discussions had been positive. Despite the talks, Sharma said, some protesters 'suddenly turned aggressive,' attempted to break through the barricades and allegedly misbehaved with local residents before resorting to stone-pelting at both police and civilians.

The demand: 10% reservation for DNT communities

Members of the nomadic and semi-nomadic communities had gathered at Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium to collectively press their long-standing demand for 10 per cent reservation. DNT communities — historically classified as 'denotified tribes' — have argued that they remain among the most marginalised groups in India, often excluded from mainstream welfare frameworks. Wednesday's Mahapanchayat was intended to consolidate that demand ahead of direct engagement with the state government.

Political fallout

Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully condemned the police action, calling the lathi-charge, tear gas use and stone-pelting during what he described as a 'peaceful protest' by the DNT community 'highly condemnable.' Jully alleged that the BJP government's response to marginalised communities amounted to 'batons, tear gas and repression,' and accused it of failing to resolve grievances through dialogue. He demanded that the state government immediately open talks with DNT community representatives to address their concerns.

What happens next

Authorities have indicated the situation is under control, but the underlying demand for reservation remains unresolved. With around 50 people in detention and the opposition mounting pressure, the Rajasthan government faces calls to engage the DNT community in structured dialogue. How it responds in the coming days will signal whether Wednesday's clashes mark an isolated episode or the start of a broader escalation.