Independent Rajasthan MLA sprinkles petrol on self to protest officials’ apathy to people’s woes

Independent Rajasthan MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati’s act of sprinkling petrol while leading a dharna of Giral Lignite Mines workers in Barmer on Tuesday evening caused ripples in the state politics and administration.

The legislator from the Sheo constituency in Barmer district has been spearheading the miners’ agitation in the scorching heat for almost a fortnight. However, no one from the government came forward to listen to the workers’ problems and demands.

Advertisement

Annoyed by the administration’s apathy, Bhati asked protesters to march down to the District Collectorate. However, as the miners approached the DM office, the police stopped them.

Unhappy with the situation, Bhati said, “Being an elected representative of the people, I have been staging a dharna here for 14 days, but no authority, not even the SDM, has come forward to listen to us. Their apathy might kill the poor miners.

I won’t allow this to happen; before that, I will burn myself,” the MLA said. He then pulled a bottle of petrol from his pocket and started sprinkling it on his own body.

However, vigilant police personnel, along with Bhati’s workers and protesting miners, quickly snatched the bottle from him. The cops escorted him into the Collectorate premises to calm him down.

Later, officials held talks with him that lasted for almost five hours until late night, though a breakthrough has yet to be achieved.

Bhati said that the talks remained inconclusive; although a consensus was reached on a few points, several key demands remain unfulfilled, and the agitation will continue until a full settlement is reached.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the state’s BJP-led government, stating it was shameful that the situation had deteriorated to the point where an MLA was compelled to sprinkle petrol on himself.

Gehlot said that the government should immediately look into the sad state of affairs and find an early, amicable solution to the workers’ demands.

Bhati’s act also found strong echoes in Lunkarnsar town of Bikaner district, where farmers of the area were already protesting against the erratic power and water supplies.

Addressing the protesters, Kisan leader Prabhu Dayal Saraswat said that the farmers had been sitting on a dharna for a long time under the scorching sun, yet no official from the concerned departments had turned up to speak with them.

“The authorities are working under pressure from higher levels, creating a situation where even a sitting MLA was compelled to sprinkle petrol on his own body,” Saraswat said.

He termed the development worrisome, adding that several trade and workers’ unions have also expressed deep concern and annoyance over the incident.