Bhanwari case, Bharatpur violence put Rajasthan under scanner
Rajasthan remained in the news in 2011 mostly for wrong reasons -- communal violence in Bharatpur, death of 16 women in hospitals due to contaminated IV fluids and the sensational missing case of Bhanwari Devi -- bringing embarrassment to the Ashok Gehlot government.
Gopalgarh, a town in Bharatpur district, witnessed clashes between Gujjars and Mev Muslims following a land-related dispute which claimed 10 lives and left several others injured. Rights activists and Muslims alleged that all the 10 people were killed in police firing while they were offering namaz at a mosque, but the government insisted it was the timely action of police that brought things under control.
The Bhanwari Devi missing case hit the Gehlot government hard and claimed the ministerial berth of Mahipal Maderna, a second time MLA and son of veteran Congress politician and influential Jat leader Parasram Maderna.
The 36-year-old nurse, posted as ANM at Jaliwada sub-centre in Jodhpur district, went missing on September 1 and was alleged to have been abducted at Maderna's behest.
Left embarrassed, the government also ordered a CBI inquiry.
Sixteen women died in Jodhpur's government hospitals between February 13 and March 14 due to administration of contaminated IV fluid.
Amin Khan had to resign as Minister of State for Panchayti Raj and Waqf in February for his derogatory remarks against President Pratibha Patil. At a public function he had said that Patil was rewarded with the post of president for her loyalty to the Gandhi family.
Khan was re-inducted during the first Cabinet reshuffle in November when
