This Flag Or That? Father Versus Son In Bharatpur Royal Family Dispute

A royal dispute over flags has divided the Jat community in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, resulting in trespassers at the historic Moti Mahal Palace and necessitating increased security at the 109-year-old royal residence.

The controversy centers on two flags belonging to the former royal family. One is a 'pachranga' with five colors: green, orange, purple, yellow, and red. The other features a mustard background with red, blue, and rust squares, plus an image of Hanuman. The community is split over which flag should be displayed on the palace.

Until recently, the Hanuman flag flew over the palace, but it was replaced by the multi-colored one a month ago, igniting debate and causing divisions within the current royal family.

Former prince Anirudh Singh explained, "Traditionally there are two flags... one was used for battle and the other was a peacetime flag. The palace is my home and I am within my rights to fly any flag... as long as it is not a separatist flag or a flag that denotes any kind of subversion."

Many community members objected to the flag change and organized protests outside the palace until Mr. Singh's estranged father and local administration intervened. Officials suggested flying the Indian tricolor instead, while ex-MLA and minister Vishvendra Singh urged the Jat protesters to stop demonstrating at the palace.

The situation seemed resolved until Sunday night when three men—Manudev Sinsini, Bhagat Singh, and Daulat Faujdar—broke through the back gates in a car and raised the Hanuman flag over the guard room.

The multi-coloured Bharatpur Moti Mahal Palace flag (File).

Anirudh Singh has filed a police complaint following this incident. However, Jat community gatherings have celebrated Mr. Sinsini and his associates, presenting them with garlands. Tensions remain high in the area.

Many Bharatpur residents view this flag dispute as part of the ongoing conflict between Anirudh Singh and his father, Vishvendra Singh. The two are engaged in a legal battle over property, with the father seeking maintenance from his son and claiming he was illegally evicted from the palace.

Those supporting the Hanuman flag appear to have Vishvendra Singh's implicit backing, who also criticized the filing of a police case against Sinsini and his associates.

Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with substantial police presence stationed at the gates of the palace, which was constructed in 1916.