Jaipur: Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot Sunday accused the Rajasthan govt of ignoring the growing tensions in eastern Rajasthan over the opening of the Panchana Dam, saying its failure to bring the rival sides to the negotiating table was fuelling resentment and distrust.Targeting Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Gehlot said it was “beyond comprehension” that Sharma, despite being from eastern Rajasthan, remained silent on the issue. He urged the chief minister to take an active role immediately to defuse the situation.Gehlot said the situation, which continued for several days, was a matter of concern and accused the govt of failing to bring representatives of both sides to the negotiating table. He urged the chief minister to intervene and initiate talks to find a peaceful solution. In a post on X, Gehlot said, “The tension that persisted for several days in eastern Rajasthan over the opening of Panchana Dam is worrying. It is even more worrying that the Rajasthan govt is not at all serious about this matter and is not even calling both sides for talks, due to which resentment is brewing among the people there. Because of this, distrust between the two sides is also increasing.”He said the govt should immediately call the panch-patels and representatives of both communities — Gurjar and Meena — for discussions and make a serious effort to resolve the issue.Responding to a question on the continuing tension despite the high court’s directions, Gehlot told reporters that incidents occurring across Rajasthan showed a lack of effective governance. He added that repeated HC orders put officials under pressure, as they feared contempt proceedings. Gehlot also alleged that the govt’s approach appeared to create caste-based divisions.Meanwhile, the farmers’ protest at Khandip village in Sawai Madhopur entered its 17th day Sunday, with thousands of farmers gathering at the protest site demanding the release of water from Panchana Dam into the command area canals.
