Inside Mewar royal family dispute: What triggered the latest flare-up?

The longstanding property dispute within the Mewar royal family reached new heights on Monday when Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, son of late former MP Mahendra Singh Mewar, was reportedly denied entry into the Udaipur City Palace following his coronation ceremony in Chittorgarh.

The incident, which led to protests and stone-pelting outside the City Palace, signified a deepening rift within the royal family. 

Vishwaraj's uncle, Arvind Singh Mewar, and cousin, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, allegedly locked the palace gates, preventing him from performing the traditional Dhuni Mata darshan, a ritual associated with the coronation of Mewar rulers.

Coronation in Chittorgarh

According to media reports, the controversy unfolded after Vishwaraj Singh was crowned the 77th Maharana of Mewar in a ceremony held on November 25, 2024, following the death of his father on November 10, 2024. The coronation took place in Chittorgarh, as per royal tradition.

Decades-Long Dispute

The Mewar royal family's property dispute is believed to date back to 1955, when Bhagwant Singh Mewar, father of Mahendra Singh and Arvind Singh, became Maharana. 

Bhagwant Singh's decision to sell or lease ancestral properties triggered a rift with his elder son, Mahendra Singh, who reportedly demanded the division of assets under the Hindu Succession Act and filed a legal case against his father.

In his will dated May 15, 1984, Bhagwant Singh appointed his younger son, Arvind Singh, as the executor of the family’s properties, effectively disinheriting Mahendra Singh. The dispute has persisted through generations and now involves Vishwaraj Singh and Lakshyaraj Singh.

Tradition and Controversy

As per Mewar tradition, newly-crowned rulers visit the Dhuni Mata shrine at the Udaipur City Palace and the Eklingji Temple after their coronation. However, Vishwaraj Singh was denied entry into the City Palace.

Arvind Singh's family had previously issued a public notice against Vishwaraj’s coronation, terming it illegal. 

Speaking to the media, Arvind Singh stated, "The Mewar royal family is managed through a trust established by my father, which I oversee. The authority of the throne belongs to me and my son, Lakshyaraj Singh."

The incident sparked protests among Vishwaraj Singh's supporters, who criticized the decision to block his entry into the palace. Stone-pelting and vandalism were reported as tensions escalated.