The complex saga of MLA Bhadel & RAS Gurjar

Jaipur: The matter of Ajmer MLA Anita Bhadel, from the ruling BJP, speaking indecently against RAS officer Bharat Raj Gurjar and issuing threats to beat him publicly has become a topic of discussion in political and administrative circles. Notably, Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra was also present at the program where this incident occurred.

The reason for MLA Anita Bhadel’s anger towards this RAS officer is a separate story, but there is an interesting fact to consider. Bharat Raj, an officer from the 2021 batch of RAS, has been in service for only two years. He was posted in the Ajmer Development Authority in March 2024. Initially serving as LAO, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner on 9 September 2024. What’s more interesting is that this posting was made on the recommendation of MLA Anita Bhadel herself.

Another interesting fact is that this junior RAS officer received an award last month in New Delhi for his good teamwork. The village of Devmali in Beawar was awarded ‘Best Tourist Village’ on World Tourism Day, 20th September, and Bharat Raj Gurjar’s special efforts were credited for this achievement.

So, what did this very junior RAS officer do in just a few months of posting in Ajmer to provoke the MLA, who had herself recommended his appointment? This remains a matter of investigation. Anita Bhadel is a senior, experienced politician, having won the Ajmer MLA election for 5 consecutive terms. During the Congress rule, when Ashok Gehlot was CM and CP Joshi was in the Legislative Assembly, Anita Bhadel, as an opposition BJP member, was awarded the best MLA. Incidents of misbehaviour and assaults on state employees by politicians have occurred in the past. During the previous Congress rule, around a dozen incidents involving ruling party MLAs and district-level politicians came to light. Recently, former Congress MLA Girraj Singh Malinga came under SC scrutiny for assaulting an electricity employee in March 2022, breaking his bones in 22 places. In this case, both MLA Anita Bhadel & RAS officer BR Gurjar have been non-controversial, making the incident surprising. The casteist angle is inappropriate, and both parties should resolve it amicably.