Karni Sena demands police action after member Devraj Singh dies at Jaipur protest
Synopsis
A Karni Sena protest against UGC regulations in Jaipur turned deadly — or so the organisation claims. Member Devraj Singh died after the rally, with the Sena blaming a police lathi-charge and water cannons, while police say his health simply gave way. With a Jaipur bandh now threatened and multiple Savarna groups involved, Rajasthan authorities face mounting pressure to act.
Key Takeaways
Devraj Singh , a member of Shri Rajput Karni Sena from Palada village, Didwana-Kuchaman district , died after his health deteriorated during a protest rally in Jaipur on Monday .
The rally was held in opposition to the new UGC regulations and was backed by multiple organisations including the Rashtriya Hindu Mahasabha .
Police deployed water cannons and carried out a lathi-charge after protesters breached barricades and advanced toward the BJP state office and the Chief Minister's residence.
DCP (West) Prashant Kiran denied that Singh's death was caused by police action, stating his health deteriorated suddenly during the protest.
Mahipal Singh Makrana , Karni Sena president, has issued a Jaipur bandh call if action is not taken against the officials responsible for the use of force.
Singh's last rites were performed in Jaipur on Tuesday morning.
Shri Rajput Karni Sena on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, demanded stringent action against police officials following the death of its member Devraj Singh, who died after his health deteriorated during a protest rally in Jaipur on Monday. The organisation alleged that police use of force — including a lathi-charge and water cannons — against demonstrators contributed to the incident, a claim authorities have disputed.
Background to the Protest
The rally was organised in opposition to the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and drew participation from multiple groups, including the Rashtriya Hindu Mahasabha and several organisations representing the Savarna (upper-caste) community. Devraj Singh, a resident of Palada village in Didwana-Kuchaman district, was among those who took part in the demonstration.
What Happened on the Ground
Police initially set up barricades beneath the 200-feet express flyover in an attempt to halt the march. Protesters breached the barricades and advanced through Chaumu Puliya, Ambabari, and Panipech intersections before reaching the Collectorate Circle. As the crowd then moved toward the BJP state office and the Chief Minister's residence, multiple confrontations broke out with police, who subsequently deployed water cannons and carried out a lathi-charge to disperse demonstrators.
Some accounts suggest that Devraj Singh panicked amid the unrest, fell, and sustained serious injuries. The Shri Rajput Karni Sena has also alleged that police used force against women and young protesters during the clashes.
Police Version: Death Not Linked to Force
Authorities have firmly contested the Karni Sena's account. DCP (West) Prashant Kiran stated that Devraj Singh's death was not caused by a police lathi-charge or the use of water cannons. According to the officer, Singh's condition suddenly worsened during the protest and he died while receiving treatment at a hospital. Police maintained that he fell ill during the demonstration and was transported to hospital, where he later succumbed.
Singh's last rites were performed in Jaipur on Tuesday morning.
Karni Sena's Demands and Bandh Warning
Mahipal Singh Makrana, president of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena, addressed the media on Tuesday and demanded accountability for the police officials involved in the lathi-charge. He also issued a Jaipur bandh call, warning that it would be enforced if action is not taken against the officials responsible for deploying force against protesters.
What Comes Next
The conflicting accounts — between the organisation's allegation of police brutality and the police's assertion of a natural health emergency — are likely to intensify pressure on Rajasthan authorities to order an independent inquiry. With a bandh threat now on the table and multiple community groups backing the protest, the political temperature in Jaipur is set to rise in the coming days.
Point of View
The burden of proof typically falls on authorities to demonstrate that their use of force was proportionate and unrelated to the fatality. The Rajasthan government's response will be watched closely: a credible magisterial or judicial inquiry is the minimum required to prevent this from escalating. The Karni Sena has historically wielded significant political leverage in Rajasthan, and a bandh call backed by Savarna community groups is not a symbolic gesture. The UGC regulation protests, meanwhile, signal a widening social coalition against the Centre's higher education policy — a thread that mainstream coverage has underplayed.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Devraj Singh and how did he die?
Devraj Singh was a member of the Shri Rajput Karni Sena and a resident of Palada village in Didwana-Kuchaman district. He died after his health deteriorated during a protest rally in Jaipur on Monday; police say his condition worsened suddenly and he died during hospital treatment, while the Karni Sena alleges police use of force contributed to his death.
Why was the Karni Sena protesting in Jaipur?
The Shri Rajput Karni Sena, along with the Rashtriya Hindu Mahasabha and several Savarna community organisations, organised the rally in protest against the new University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. The march moved through multiple intersections before reaching the Collectorate Circle.
Did police use force against the protesters?
Yes. Police deployed water cannons and carried out a lathi-charge after protesters breached barricades and advanced toward the BJP state office and the Chief Minister's residence. DCP (West) Prashant Kiran maintained that this use of force did not cause Devraj Singh's death.
What is the Karni Sena demanding?
The Shri Rajput Karni Sena is demanding stringent action against police officials involved in the lathi-charge and water cannon deployment. Its president, Mahipal Singh Makrana, has also issued a Jaipur bandh call if the government fails to act against the officials responsible.
What happens next in the Jaipur protest case?
With a bandh threatened and multiple community groups backing the Karni Sena's demands, Rajasthan authorities face pressure to order an independent inquiry into Devraj Singh's death. The conflicting accounts from the organisation and police make a magisterial or judicial probe increasingly likely.
