Jaipur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday accused the state government of arrogance and insensitivity after an FIR was lodged against residents of Dhundhara village in Jodhpur for demanding drinking water from cabinet minister Jogaram Patel.
Gehlot's allegations on social media
In a statement on X, Gehlot alleged that residents of Dhundhara village approached cabinet minister Jogaram Patel, a native of the village, seeking arrangements for water supply amid shortages. However, instead of addressing their concerns, the public health engineering department allegedly filed an FIR against the villagers for obstructing government work.
“Ask for water, go to jail! This is the BJP government’s new ‘double-engine’ circus in Rajasthan,” Gehlot said, attacking the state government over the incident.
Questioning the minister's role
Gehlot pointed out that Patel is the only cabinet minister from Jodhpur district in the present government and questioned why basic public demands such as drinking water could not be met. “If the people of Jodhpur cannot place their hopes in him, then who will they turn to? Can he not even fulfil this most basic necessity of the public?” Gehlot asked.
Previous incidents cited
He further alleged that ministers and officials, “intoxicated by power”, have lost their moral compass. Referring to an earlier incident, Gehlot claimed that when villagers demanded drinking water from another minister, Joraram Kumawat, their electricity and water connections were disconnected.
Condemnation of government attitude
Gehlot said the episode reflected what he described as the BJP government’s growing insensitivity and authoritarian approach. “It appears that the BJP government has reached the pinnacle of insensitivity and arrogance and is adopting a dictatorial attitude, which is highly condemnable,” he said.
