Uproar in Rajasthan Assembly Over Smart Meters and School Tragedy

Jaipur. The Rajasthan Assembly witnessed heated scenes on Wednesday as debates over the smart meter controversy and the Jhalawar school roof collapse dominated proceedings. The session was marked by sharp exchanges, slogans, and dramatic confrontations between ruling and opposition members.

During Question Hour, the opposition accused the government of deliberately imposing the smart meter scheme. They stormed into the Well of the House, raised slogans, and later staged a walkout. Opposition leaders alleged that the company awarded the ₹14,000 crore tender was blacklisted in Goa. Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar defended the decision, clarifying that the company was not blacklisted in Rajasthan and that the revised guidelines were issued due to a backlog in meter installations.

Tensions escalated further when Forest Minister Sanjay Sharma and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Juli engaged in a direct face-off. Heated words were exchanged, and Sharma, rolling up his sleeves, moved toward Juli, who too advanced from the Well. The situation nearly turned physical before Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel and other members intervened. In the scuffle, Sharma’s shirt was torn, prompting Speaker Vasudev Devnani to immediately adjourn the House.

In Zero Hour, the Jhalawar school roof collapse tragedy sparked another uproar. The opposition demanded the resignation of the Education Minister, accusing him of secretly visiting the hospital through Madhya Pradesh by private vehicle. Juli described the incident as “not an accident but a murder,” demanding the culprits be given capital punishment.

The atmosphere worsened when BJP members shouted slogans against Rahul Gandhi, while Congress MLAs retaliated with slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Throughout the chaos, a large number of schoolchildren seated in the visitors’ gallery watched the dramatic scenes unfold.

The session remained tense, reflecting the deep political divide over governance and accountability.