Restore district status of Sikar: Cong calls for bandh tomorrow

The state Congress on Thursday demanded the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP government to restore the status of both a district and division to Sikar and also called for a "Sikar bandh" on Saturday in protest against the BJP government's decision to annul nine newly created districts and three divisions established by the previous Ashok Gehlot-led government.

- HT Correspondent

JAIPUR:

The government's move has sparked protests, with locals and political parties from the affected regions voicing their opposition. On December 28 last year, the state government annulled nine districts and three divisions.

During a meeting in Sikar, state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasara said: "The previous Congress government had granted Sikar the status of both a district and division. The Congress had previously established a university in the district, which was later shut down by the BJP but was opened again. The BJP must restore Sikar's status as a division."

"The people have elected us, and it is our collective responsibility to unite and raise the public's concerns and demands. We will not back down until the BJP government is forced to listen. Even BJP workers and voters are unhappy with these decisions. This is not just a political issue, but a matter of the people's rights," he said.

He further said: "The BJP government will bow down to the public movement and demand. Our MPs from Sikar, Amra Ram; Churu, Rahul Kaswan; and Jhunjhunu, Brajendra Ola, will coordinate the movement here. It has been decided that the Sangarsh Samiti will be formed at the division, district, and block levels in the areas where the districts are annulled."

Dotasara also announced that a major meeting would be held in Banswara on January 6, and a date for a similar event in Sikar will be decided soon. Besides, the Congress called for a "Sikar bandh" on Saturday in protest against the BJP government's decision.