What led to the clash between the Mewar royal family at the Udaipur City Palace? | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Udaipur witnessed a heated confrontation on Monday evening as tensions flared between two factions of the former royal family of Mewar, resulting in stone pelting and a standoff at the historic city palace.
The clash followed the coronation of BJP MLA Vishvaraj Singh Mewar as the 77th Maharana of Mewar earlier that day at Chittorgarh Fort.
The ceremony took place after the recent death of Vishvaraj Singh’s father Mahendra Singh Mewar. However, the event was overshadowed by a long-standing feud between Mahendra Singh Mewar and his estranged younger brother, Arvind Singh Mewar. Both are descendants of the legendary Rajput king Maharana Pratap.

Access to the City Palace denied

Hours after the coronation, Vishvaraj Singh and his supporters were denied entry to the City Palace and Eklingnath Temple of the family deity in Udaipur. Both locations are managed by Arvind Singh, who is chairman and managing trustee of the Shree Eklingji Trust.
Arvind Singh issued a public notice opposing Vishvaraj Singh’s planned visit as part of post-coronation rituals, further intensifying the family conflict.
When Vishvaraj Singh and his supporters tried to enter the city palace, tensions escalated into a physical altercation. Stone pelting ensued between his supporters and those loyal to Arvind Singh and Dr Lakshay Raj Singh Mewar, Arvind Singh’s son.

The board intervenes

To bring the situation under control, the district administration intervened. Udaipur District Collector Arvind Kumar Poswal assured the public that law and order had been restored.
“The situation is under control. Discussions are underway with both palace representatives and members of society. Certain issues have been resolved, while discussions on others continue,” he told reporters.
The government also took the disputed Dhuni Mata Temple, another disputed site, under receivership to prevent further clashes. “If either group wants to file a case, it will be registered,” Poswal added.

Long-standing family feud

The dispute is the latest chapter in the long-standing rivalry within the royal family. The anointing of Vishvaraj Singh as Maharana has deepened the rift, with factions loyal to Arvind Singh opposing his ascension.
Supporters of Nathdwara MLA Vishvaraj Singh camped at Jagdish Chowk, a few kilometers away from the City Palace after they were denied entry, further fueling the clash.