Rajasthan withdraws Hanuman Beniwal's security cover amid BJP-RLP rift
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Rajasthan government on Friday, 29 May withdrew three Personal Security Officers (PSOs) from the Jaipur Police Commissionerate who had been deployed to protect Nagaur MP and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief Hanuman Beniwal, deepening the visible rift between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its former ally. The move has triggered fresh political speculation in Rajasthan about the state of the BJP-RLP alliance.
What the Security Withdrawal Means
Following the removal of the three Jaipur-based PSOs, Beniwal's security cover will now consist solely of personnel from the Nagaur district police. According to Beniwal, a total of eight security personnel had previously been deployed for his protection — four from Jaipur and four from Nagaur. Of the Jaipur contingent, two were stationed at his residence and two on rest duty, while four accompanied him at all times.
What Beniwal Said
Reacting sharply to the withdrawal, Beniwal said he had never requested the security in the first place. 'Now that the government has withdrawn the security, I want to make it clear that I never even asked for it,' he said. He attributed the original deployment to then-intelligence officer Sanjay Agarwal, who had reportedly arranged the cover during the controversy surrounding the Sub-Inspector recruitment examination. Beniwal claimed commandos armed with AK-47 rifles had been deployed from Jaipur at that time.
The Nagaur MP added that he had been informed the security was necessary because he had challenged several powerful groups, including the sand mafia and paper-leak syndicates. He maintained that the Bhajanlal government need not concern itself with his safety, asserting that 'thousands of youths across Rajasthan' stand with him and are capable of providing protection.
Allegations Against the Government
Beniwal went further, levelling a series of allegations against the state administration. He claimed the government had wanted him to enter Jaipur during a recent agitation held in support of sadhus so that he could be detained along with the protesters. He also alleged that certain elements attempted to disturb communal harmony during Eid celebrations and sought to draw him into controversy. 'The government wanted to create conflict and tension in Jaipur, but we resolved the issue beforehand and ensured communal harmony remained unaffected,' Beniwal said.
Political Context
The BJP-RLP relationship has been under strain for some time, and the security withdrawal is being read in political circles as a deliberate signal. Beniwal, who commands significant influence among the Jat community in Rajasthan's Nagaur belt, also questioned the government's rationale — asking why security had been provided initially and on what basis it was now being pulled back. This comes amid broader tensions between the two parties over law-and-order issues and recent protests in the state. How the RLP responds in the coming days will be closely watched ahead of future electoral cycles.