Jaipur: Tension rose in Jaipur on Monday when police used water cannons to disperse members of the Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena and their supporters who were participating in a rally demanding the rollback of recent University Grants Commission (UGC) decisions and the fulfilment of various demands related to the Savarna community.

The protesters gathered at Ravan Gate and began marching towards the Jaipur Collectorate to submit a memorandum. The rally, led by Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena National President Mahipal Singh Makrana, was scheduled to proceed via Panipech. Police attempted to halt the procession by erecting barricades near Kalwar Puliya.

As demonstrators pushed forward, a confrontation developed between the crowd and police personnel. Officers used water cannons to control the situation, while some protesters reportedly moved towards the water-cannon vehicle. Despite the police action, demonstrators removed the barricades and continued their march towards the Collectorate along the Jhotwara-Panipech route.

Authorities later strengthened security and installed additional barricades near Chomu Puliya, where the rally was expected to be stopped. A heavy police presence, including personnel from the Special Task Force (STF), was deployed to maintain order.

According to the organisers, people from 24 states took part in the rally. Large numbers of supporters arrived in Jaipur in private vehicles and buses.

The demonstration forms part of the broader ‘Savarn Nyay Yatra’ launched by Mahipal Singh Makrana to oppose certain UGC-related decisions and raise issues concerning the upper-caste community. Makrana had begun his journey from Jaipur to Deshnok in Bikaner around 24 days earlier. The march later evolved into the Savarn Nyay Yatra and returned to Jaipur on Sunday.

During the final leg of the journey, Makrana reportedly fell ill and briefly lost consciousness on Saturday. Despite health concerns, he continued the yatra while seated in a wheelchair. On Sunday night, thousands of supporters participated in a torchlight procession from Govindpura to Bajrang Dwar.

The main rally on Monday set out from Kalwar Road with the aim of reaching the District Collector’s office. A large number of protesters moved towards the Collectorate and reached the Chomu Puliya area. Police used water cannons after protesters attempted to cross barricades near Kalwar Puliya. Demonstrators dismantled some of the barriers and continued advancing.

The situation remained tense but under close police monitoring as the procession moved through parts of the city. Authorities continued to regulate the march while the organisers maintained their intention to submit a memorandum at the Collectorate.