Ravindra Singh Bhati, the Member of the Legislative Assembly from Barmer, allegedly poured petrol over himself inside the District Collectorate premises on Tuesday, 20 May, triggering panic among police and administrative officials. The dramatic act came during a large protest march led by labourers and truck drivers who have been agitating against worker removals for the past 40 days.

What Led to the Protest

The agitation began after a private company issued new tenders, resulting in the removal of existing workers and drivers. Labourers and truck drivers have been staging demonstrations for 40 days, demanding reinstatement. MLA Bhati had been sitting in solidarity at the protest site for 14 days prior to Tuesday's march.

A large workers' convention was held at Giral village before the march, drawing representatives from labour unions, farmers' groups, youth organisations, and social groups from across Rajasthan. Thousands of labourers, villagers, and supporters then marched toward the district headquarters.

How the Situation Escalated

As the procession entered Barmer, police blocked the route near the BSF gate on Jaisalmer Road by placing buses across the road. Bhati and his supporters proceeded to the Collectorate on foot. According to eyewitnesses, upon entering the Collectorate premises, Bhati suddenly produced a bottle of petrol from his bag and poured it over himself.

He was heard shouting, 'Kill me, but do not kill the labourers… if you have to kill someone, kill me.' A constable immediately snatched the bottle from his hand, and police personnel along with supporters rushed to restrain him before the situation could escalate further.

Police and Administration Response

Police later escorted MLA Bhati inside the Collectorate premises. A large number of police personnel were deployed across the area as supporters gathered outside the Collectorate, raising slogans in support of the labourers' demands. The incident created a tense atmosphere throughout the premises, with administrative officials caught off guard by the sudden turn of events.

Broader Context

The protest march included thousands of participants carrying placards and banners. This is not an isolated episode — labour disputes tied to private company tender renewals have periodically triggered flash-point agitations across Rajasthan. The involvement of an elected legislator willing to escalate to self-endangerment signals the depth of local political pressure around the issue. How the state government and the company respond to the workers' demands will determine whether the standoff de-escalates or intensifies.