Jaipur: Proceedings in the Rajasthan Assembly were disrupted for nearly five hours Tuesday over allegations of cow slaughter in Jaipur and a demand to grant the cow the status of “Rajya Mata” (State Mother), with the House adjourned six times amid sharp exchanges between the ruling side and the opposition. The issue surfaced during Question Hour when BJP MLA Balmukundacharya asked whether the state govt would accord “Rajya Mata” status to the cow and what measures were being taken to curb cattle smuggling. Animal husbandry minister Joraram Kumawat replied that a strict law was already in place in Rajasthan to prevent cow slaughter. Balmukundacharya said the response did not directly address the demand and sought a clearer answer. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully then alleged the govt had not clarified its position on the demand. Citing the Ashokpura incident in Jaipur’s Shyam Nagar police station area, Jully said a cow’s head had been severed and claimed there were allegations that a key accused was being protected by a BJP member, demanding a thorough investigation. As Congress MLAs raised slogans and displayed placards, Speaker Vasudev Devnani objected, saying posters were not permitted in the House and urging members to maintain decorum. Tensions escalated when BJP MLA Gopal Sharma objected to the opposition allegations and shouted from his seat. Despite repeated directions from the Speaker to sit down, Sharma moved towards the opposition benches before being restrained. Govt chief whip Jogeshwar Garg said remarks by Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra had provoked Sharma’s reaction. Parliamentary affairs minister Jogaram Patel defended Sharma, saying serious allegations had been made in the House and the member reacted emotionally. With Congress MLAs gathering in the well of the House amid continued sloganeering, proceedings were repeatedly adjourned until around 5pm. Later, Sharma issued an apology on social media, saying he had reacted emotionally to the allegations and regretted not maintaining the decorum of the House.
