In a significant development, Vishvaraj Singh Mewar, a BJP MLA and direct descendant of the legendary Rajput king Maharana Pratap, has voiced strong opposition to the Rajasthan state government's ambitious Rs 100-crore tourism circuit dedicated to his ancestor. He warns that the project risks diluting the true legacy of the warrior king.
Objections to "Ultra-Modern" Designs and Multiple Museums
The Maharana Pratap Tourism Circuit was announced by Finance and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari in the interim budget presented in February 2024. However, Mewar, who is a member of the erstwhile royal family of Udaipur, has raised serious concerns after reviewing the proposed plans. Following a meeting with Minister Kumari on Monday, Mewar described the designs as "deeply disturbing."
He specifically objected to plans for constructing ultra-modern buildings and palace-like structures at historically significant sites like Chavand and Haldighati. "Such structures do not reflect Maharana Pratap's life or values," he asserted. Mewar emphasized that Pratap's legacy is built on ideals of self-respect, sacrifice, and resistance, not grand monuments.
Referring to a presentation shown to him nearly two months ago in Kumbhalgarh, the MLA also strongly opposed the proposal to establish multiple museums across different locations. "Building three or four museums will only create confusion. There should be one well-researched museum at a key location that reflects Maharana Pratap's entire life, geography, culture, and battles," he argued.
Warning Against Tampering with Sacred Historical Sites
Mewar expressed grave concern over any construction plans at historical battlefields, calling it "tampering with sites revered by the people." He stressed that these are outdoor, geographic spaces intrinsically linked to history. "Building structures there defeats their sanctity," he told TOI.
In a recent letter to Minister Diya Kumari, Mewar pointed out that the project lacks clear objectives, a roadmap, or a conservation strategy. He noted a failure to properly disclose documents and a lack of clarity on how the circuit would genuinely honour Pratap's life and values. The letter also highlighted insufficient consultation with Pratap's family members and public representatives.
Legacy Defined by Struggle, Not Opulence
The core of Mewar's objection lies in what he terms "opulent and contradictory imagery." He cautioned that portraying Maharana Pratap through lavish structures runs completely counter to the king's austere and struggle-driven life. "Creating grand structures that contradict his lived reality defeats the very purpose of remembrance," he warned.
"Maharana Pratap's identity cannot be confined to buildings and palaces. His life was about swabhiman (self-respect), sangharsh (struggle), and resistance," Mewar stated, encapsulating his argument against the current blueprint for the tourism circuit. The intervention sets the stage for a crucial debate on how India's historical figures and sites should be memorialized for future generations.
