Jaipur, February 10, 2026: A routine repair project at an old dargah near the Chandpole vegetable market in Jaipur’s Walled City has triggered a political controversy between state legislators, leading to heated exchanges, police involvement and an administrative halt to the work.
The dispute erupted on Sunday, 8 February 2026, after construction work began on replacing an old tin roof over the shrine with a more durable structure funded through MLA Local Area Development (LAD) funds. The project, valued at approximately ₹18–20 lakh, was sanctioned by local authorities and overseen by the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC).
The repair, intended to address deterioration and water leakage during rains, drew immediate objections from BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya, representing the Hawa Mahal constituency, who claimed the work was unauthorized and raised concerns about heritage compliance. He alleged that the construction threatened the adjacent historic Parokota wall and violated court orders regarding construction near heritage structures. Acharya arrived at the site with supporters to protest, asserting the project amounted to an encroachment and adversely impacting the city’s heritage fabric.
Reacting to these objections, Congress MLA Aminuddin “Amin” Kagzi from Kishanpole also visited the scene, defending the project as legitimate and backed by proper permits and funding. Kagzi showed paperwork and insisted that the project was necessary for public safety and had been carried out following all norms, including prior JMC approval. He dismissed claims of encroachment as politically motivated and reminded critics of similar development funds he had used for temple renovations in the area.
As tempers flared between the two legislators and their supporters, local residents who rely on the market and worship at the dargah weighed in. Some residents criticized the project’s stoppage, arguing the shrine had stood for decades without issues but needed maintenance to protect it from weather damage. Others expressed concern that political disagreements were shaking the longstanding communal harmony of the area, known for its shared cultural ethos.
The confrontation escalated into a six-hour standoff, drawing police personnel to the site and prompting authorities to temporarily halt all construction work pending further review. Senior police officials and JMC representatives mediated to calm tensions and assured both sides that the matter would be examined based on legal and heritage guidelines.
At the time of reporting, the government has ordered a review of permits, adherence to heritage conservation rules and the legality of the project before any further work can resume. Administrative and police officials have maintained that order has been restored and that no major law-and-order situation occurred during the dispute.