Rajasthan Assembly Witnesses Heated Debate Over ‘Naked Dance’ Remark, Leopard Helpline and Road Data

Jaipur:
The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly turned stormy on Thursday as sharp exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition dominated the budget session, with controversies ranging from hookah bars and road construction figures to environmental concerns and rising leopard movement in urban areas.

Uproar Over Minister’s ‘Naked Dance’ Remark

The debate intensified after Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham made a controversial remark while discussing hookah bars. Targeting the Congress, he alleged that during its regime, hookah bars were operating at nearly 55,000 locations and remarked that the opposition was engaged in “naked dance,” triggering loud protests in the House.

The comment led to repeated disruptions, forcing Speaker Vasudev Devnani to intervene. The Speaker issued a strong directive stating that irrespective of which party is in power, strict action must be taken to curb illegal hookah bars, and inappropriate language should be avoided inside the House.

Deputy CM Diya Kumari Corners Congress With Road Statistics

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari adopted an aggressive stance during the debate on road construction. Responding to opposition protests, she urged members to “listen to the facts,” before presenting comparative data.

She claimed that the previous Congress government constructed 13,000 kilometres of roads over five years, whereas the present BJP-led government has built 16,864 kilometres within just two years. Rejecting allegations of regional discrimination, she asserted that development works are being carried out based on recommendations from legislators across party lines.

Demand for Khejri Protection Law Raised

Independent MLA Ravindra Singh Bhati raised serious environmental concerns, stating that nearly 26 lakh Khejri trees have already been felled in western Rajasthan, with preparations underway to cut another 50 lakh.

He demanded the enactment of a Khejri Protection Act, warning that failure to do so would accelerate migration from the region. Recalling the sacrifice of Amrita Devi, Bhati described the issue as a people’s movement rather than a political demand.

Leopard Threat: Helpline to Be Launched

Concerns over increasing leopard movement in residential areas of Jaipur were also discussed. MLA Kalicharan Saraf questioned the government’s preparedness, to which Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma responded by announcing the launch of a dedicated wildlife emergency helpline — ‘1926’ — within the next month.

The minister assured the House that security protocols on the lines of Maharashtra would be implemented to minimize human-wildlife conflict and ensure public safety.

The intense proceedings reflected growing political friction, with governance, environment and public safety emerging as key themes of the ongoing budget session.