Uproar in Rajasthan assembly over ‘nata marriage’ allegations against Pulmawa martyr widows 

JAIPUR: Pandemonium once again prevailed in the Rajasthan assembly over the issue of demands and the protest by the windows of Pulmawa martyrs. 

The state BJP legislators staged a walk-out when Shanti Dhariwal, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, clarified his statement about one of the Pulmawa martyr widows solemnizing a ‘nata’ marriage. 

Dhariwal clarified that he never referred to Manju as having solemnized ‘nata’ marriage with her brother-in-law, but instead he meant that Sundari Dev had solemnized nata marriage.

The assembly was scheduled to debate grant demands on Thursday, and before the debate began, there was an uproar when Dhariwal clarified his statement. This led to the BJP MLAs staging a walk-out in protest, strongly objecting to Dhariwal’s clarification.

Dhariwal asked for time to clarify his statement about the martyr windows. He explained that he never said anything about Manju Jat having performed nata marriage. Instead, he mentioned that her brother-in-law was already married and that she was seeking a job for him while her children should get jobs. 

Dhariwal also referred to Sundari Devi and her interview with a Hindi daily newspaper. It was reportedly mentioned in the newspaper report that Sundari Devi had solemnized nata marriage three years ago with her brother-in-law Vikram Singh, who already had two girls and a boy.

The Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore criticized Dhariwal for bringing up the personal life of the martyr windows, stating that it was disrespectful to discuss personal matters in the assembly. 

Rathore also criticized Dhariwal for referring to Rajasthan as a state of men earlier, while rapes were committed, tarnishing the state’s reputation. The opposition was not satisfied with Dhariwal’s clarification, as they believed that the minister had insulted the martyr widows of Rajasthan.