Royal Family feud erupts over control of Udaipur’s iconic City Palace

A clash erupted in Udaipur’s City Palace on Monday after BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh, recently named the ceremonial head of the Mewar royal family, was denied entry into the palace. This event occurred just hours after his anointment ceremony at Chittorgarh Fort, following the death of his father, Mahendra Singh Mewar.

The situation turned tense as heavy police presence surrounded the City Palace. Reports indicated that stones were allegedly thrown from inside the palace premises, leading to heightened security. Police officers, including Udaipur Collector Arvind Poswal and SP Yogesh Goyal, were on-site to prevent further unrest.

The root of the dispute

The feud between Vishvaraj Singh and his uncle, Arvind Singh Mewar, dates back to disputes between their fathers. Both are descendants of Maharana Pratap, the legendary Rajput king. Arvind Singh manages the City Palace and the Shree Eklingji Trust, which oversees the Eklingnath temple.

After Vishvaraj Singh’s anointment, Arvind Singh issued legal notices opposing his nephew’s visit to the City Palace and temple as part of the royal rituals. The notices warned against trespassing or property damage, citing potential legal action.

Despite this, Vishvaraj Singh and his supporters tried to enter the palace but were stopped by barricades and police. Attempts to negotiate with Arvind Singh’s son failed, leaving the matter unresolved.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha members to use digital pens on electronic tabs for Winter Session attendance

ALSO READ: Supreme Court to deliver verdict on validity of 'Socialist' and 'Secular' in Preamble

Police actions and aftermath

To manage the situation, the police submitted a report to the additional district magistrate, suggesting the appointment of a receiver for parts of the City Palace area. Vishvaraj Singh and his supporters later gathered at Jagdish Chowk, near the palace.

The ongoing dispute highlights deep divisions within the royal family, affecting the management of Udaipur’s historical and cultural heritage.