Rajasthan

JALORE/JAIPUR: A recent directive issued by a village panchayat in Jalore district, Rajasthan, banning daughters-in-law and daughters from using smartphones with cameras, has sparked widespread debate. While the decision, set to take effect from January 26, has faced strong opposition, senior IPS officer Rahul Prakash has weighed in, offering nuanced support for limiting smartphone usage—but condemning gender-based restrictions. The Panchayat Order and Its RationaleThe order, issued collectively by the panchayat members of 15 villages, restricts camera-enabled smartphones for women. Panchayat head Sujanaram Chaudhary defended the move, stating that when women in the household possess smartphones, children tend to spend excessive time on screens, potentially harming their eyesight. The d...

Baran, Rajasthan: In a remarkable display of cultural unity and religious harmony, the village of Piplod in Baran district has been celebrating Christmas together for the past 104 years. Every year on December 25, the entire village comes together to observe the festival of the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebrations include a two-day fair and five days of religious, cultural, and sports events, attracting visitors from across India and even abroad. The Only Church in Ataru TehsilAccording to Rev. Eric Masih of the Jungle Mangal Mandli CNI Church, Piplod village is located about 25 kilometers from Baran district headquarters in Ataru Tehsil. It is the only village in the tehsil with a church. Around 200 Christian families reside here. Founded in 1904Father Eric explains that the vill...

Kota, Rajasthan: A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday near the Chechat Interchange on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, claiming the lives of two women and leaving two others critically injured. The victims were traveling in a car returning from a pilgrimage to Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. According to reports, a high-speed container truck lost control and overturned onto the car near the toll plaza. The women, who were sisters-in-law, Sudha Rana from Noida and Shivani Bhandari, were seated in the rear of the vehicle and died instantly. The driver, Arjun Singh, stated that the car was moving at around 30 km/h when the container collided from behind, causing it to topple onto the car. The injured, Shivani Bhandari’s husband Kuldeep Bhandari and Sudha Rana’s son Vardhaman Rana, were r...

Jalore, Rajasthan: A controversial decision by a local panchayat in Jalore district has sparked statewide debate. The panchayat, associated with a social organization, has prohibited women in 15 villages from using smartphones with cameras starting January 26. The order also bans carrying smartphones to public events, neighbors’ homes, and social gatherings, allowing only basic keypad phones. Legal Perspective:Senior advocate Subhash Dixit emphasized that smartphone usage is a personal right, and no panchayat or community body can restrict women’s private life, communication, or freedom of expression. “Women are equal citizens under the Constitution. No panchayat can decide which phone we use. This order directly violates women’s freedom, dignity, and rights,” he said. Constitutional...

In the annals of Indian history, King Surajmal of Bharatpur holds a prominent place as one of the most formidable Hindu rulers of the 18th century. Known as the “Plato of Rajasthan” and often called Rajasthan’s Chanakya, Surajmal combined brilliant diplomacy, strategic foresight, and military prowess to expand his kingdom and defeat the mighty Mughals. Early Life and Reign Surajmal, a Jat king, ruled Bharatpur from 1745 to 1763. His exceptional skills in statecraft, diplomacy, and military strategy earned him the nickname “Jat Afalatoon”, a reference to his unmatched wisdom and courage. Surajmal could anticipate threats, decide when to form alliances, when to wage wars, and when to negotiate treaties, ensuring his kingdom’s dominance. He was also known for distributing loot and resou...

Barmer District Collector Tina Dabi, one of Rajasthan’s most celebrated IAS officers, has recently come under intense public scrutiny. The controversy erupted after college students referred to her as a “Reel Star” during a protest against increased college fees. The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media and even on the streets, with trolls targeting the officer relentlessly. The Incident The controversy began when students protested against a hike in college fees. During the demonstration, they described Dabi not as a role model, but as a “Reel Star”, implying she seeks popularity through social media rather than focusing on administrative responsibilities. The situation escalated, leading to temporary detention of some students by the police. Following public outra...

In a major police operation in Dholpur, Rajasthan, a wanted criminal with a ₹50,000 reward, Ajit Thakur, was shot during a police encounter in the Basaidang area on Wednesday morning. Thakur sustained injuries and was immediately admitted to the district hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. During the operation, the police also arrested two other fugitives: Kalyan Thakur, another ₹50,000 reward criminal, and Dhira, with a ₹10,000 reward. Both are currently in police custody and being interrogated. Action Triggered by Intelligence According to officials, Cyber Cell Head Narendra Singh and constable Shripal received credible information about the presence of criminals near Sath Kyari in Basaidang. Based on this input, a joint team comprising the Cyber Cell, DST in-charge Ghan...

Jaipur: The Rajasthan State Election Commission has announced a significant increase in the maximum expenditure limits for candidates contesting Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections. The new notification allows candidates for positions such as Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, and Zila Parishad member to spend double the amount permitted in the previous elections. This move aims to make the electoral process more transparent, practical, and timely. New Expenditure Limits for Key PositionsState Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh explained that expenditure limits are periodically revised. For the upcoming elections: Zila Parishad members: Increased from ₹1.5 lakh in 2019 to ₹3 lakh. Panchayat Samiti members: Increased from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh. Sarpanch: Increased f...