Karni Sena rally in Jaipur: Water cannons used as protesters breach barricades
Synopsis
Jaipur turned into a flashpoint on 3 August as Karni Sena protesters dismantled police barricades and pushed through water cannon deployment to march on the Collectorate. With participants from 24 states and a leader who continued on a wheelchair after falling ill, the Savarn Nyay Yatra signals a hardening of upper-caste mobilisation around UGC policy — a pressure point that Rajasthan's administration cannot easily ignore.
Key Takeaways
Jaipur police used water cannons on Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena protesters on 3 August .
Demonstrators dismantled barricades near Kalwar Puliya and continued toward the Jaipur Collectorate via the Jhotwara-Panipech route.
The rally was led by Karni Sena National President Mahipal Singh Makrana , who completed the final leg of the march in a wheelchair after reportedly falling ill on Saturday.
Organisers claim participants from 24 states joined the demonstration.
The protest is the culmination of the 'Savarn Nyay Yatra' , launched roughly 24 days ago, demanding rollback of recent UGC decisions and redress of Savarna community grievances.
Additional barricades and STF personnel were deployed near Chomu Puliya as the procession advanced.
Police in Jaipur deployed water cannons on Monday, 3 August to disperse members of the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena and their supporters, who had gathered in large numbers demanding the rollback of recent UGC decisions and the fulfilment of various demands linked to the Savarna community. Demonstrators dismantled police barricades and pressed ahead toward the Jaipur Collectorate despite repeated efforts to stop them, keeping the city on edge for hours.
How the Confrontation Unfolded
The rally began at Ravan Gate, with protesters marching toward the Collectorate to submit a memorandum. The procession, led by Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena National President Mahipal Singh Makrana, was routed via Panipech. Police erected barricades near Kalwar Puliya to halt the march, triggering a face-off between demonstrators and security personnel.
When protesters attempted to cross the barricades, police activated water cannons to push the crowd back. Some demonstrators reportedly moved toward the water cannon vehicle itself. Despite the intervention, protesters dismantled the barricades and resumed their march via the Jhotwara-Panipech route.
Security Reinforced at Chomu Puliya
Authorities subsequently strengthened their cordon, installing additional barricades near Chomu Puliya, the next expected flashpoint. A heavy police contingent — including personnel from the Special Task Force (STF) — was deployed across the route to maintain law and order as the procession advanced through the city.
The Savarn Nyay Yatra: Background
Monday's rally was the culmination of the 'Savarn Nyay Yatra', a march initiated by Makrana to oppose UGC-related decisions and raise issues concerning upper-caste communities. He had set out from Jaipur to Deshnok in Bikaner approximately 24 days before the rally, with the march gradually expanding into the Savarn Nyay Yatra before returning to Jaipur on Sunday.
According to organisers, participants from 24 states joined the demonstration, arriving in private vehicles and buses. On Sunday night, thousands of supporters took part in a torchlight procession from Govindpura to Bajrang Dwar.
Makrana's Health and the Final Push
The march was not without personal cost for its leader. Makrana reportedly fell ill and briefly lost consciousness on Saturday. Despite health concerns, he continued the yatra while seated in a wheelchair, completing the final leg into Jaipur before Monday's confrontation with authorities.
What Happens Next
The situation remained tense but under close police monitoring as the procession advanced. The protesters' immediate aim was to reach the District Collector's office and formally submit their memorandum. Whether authorities engage with the Karni Sena's demands — centred on UGC policy and Savarna community issues — will determine whether the standoff escalates further.
Point of View
A leader completing the march on a wheelchair — signals that upper-caste mobilisation around UGC policy has moved well beyond a regional grievance. What is notable is the target: UGC decisions, not a state government, suggesting this is a pressure campaign aimed squarely at the Centre. Rajasthan's administration finds itself in the uncomfortable position of policing a protest it has limited political incentive to confront head-on. If the memorandum is received but quietly shelved, the Karni Sena has both a grievance and a template for the next escalation.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Karni Sena hold a rally in Jaipur on 3 August?
The Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena rallied in Jaipur on 3 August to demand the rollback of recent UGC decisions and the fulfilment of various demands related to the Savarna community. The rally was the culmination of the 'Savarn Nyay Yatra', a march led by National President Mahipal Singh Makrana that began approximately 24 days earlier.
Why did police use water cannons on the protesters?
Police used water cannons after protesters attempted to cross barricades erected near Kalwar Puliya to stop the march toward the Jaipur Collectorate. Demonstrators subsequently dismantled the barricades and continued their procession despite the intervention.
Who is Mahipal Singh Makrana?
Mahipal Singh Makrana is the National President of the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena, who led the Savarn Nyay Yatra from Jaipur to Deshnok in Bikaner before returning to Jaipur. He reportedly fell ill and lost consciousness on Saturday but continued the march in a wheelchair.
How many people participated in the Karni Sena rally?
According to the organisers, participants from 24 states joined the demonstration in Jaipur, arriving in private vehicles and buses. On the night before the main rally, thousands took part in a torchlight procession from Govindpura to Bajrang Dwar.
What is the Savarn Nyay Yatra?
The Savarn Nyay Yatra is a march launched by Mahipal Singh Makrana to oppose recent UGC-related decisions and raise issues concerning upper-caste communities. It began as a journey from Jaipur to Deshnok in Bikaner roughly 24 days before the Jaipur rally and evolved into a broader mobilisation campaign.
