Mon Nov 25 22:38:16 UTC 2024: ## Mewar Succession Dispute: Traditional Coronation Sparks Family Feud

**Udaipur, Rajasthan, India** – A centuries-old tradition has ignited a bitter family feud within the Mewar royal family, descendants of Maharana Pratap, a legendary figure in Indian history. Vishwaraj Singh Mewar, son of the late Mahendra Singh Mewar, was coronated today, November 25th, in a ceremony steeped in tradition at Fateh Prakash Palace in Chittorgarh. The coronation involved a blood-smeared tilak (forehead mark) applied by a representative of the Salumbar royal family, mirroring a historical event from Maharana Pratap’s era. A 21-gun salute marked the occasion, with neighboring principalities recognizing Vishwaraj Singh as the rightful heir.

However, Arvind Singh Mewar, Mahendra Singh’s younger brother, and his son Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, have denounced the ceremony as illegal. They claim the Mewar family is governed by a charitable trust, currently headed by Arvind Singh, which supersedes any traditional succession. They assert their control over the Udaipur City Palace and the Maharana Mewar Charitable Foundation, which manages the City Palace Museum.

The dispute stems from the abolishment of royal titles in India in 1971. Since then, the family’s legacy has been entangled in legal battles and conflicting interpretations of the trust’s authority. While Arvind Singh maintains control through the trust, Mahendra Singh’s lineage holds sway in surrounding regions.

Vishwaraj Singh, a BJP MLA from Nathdwara (his wife, Mahima Kumari Mewar, is a BJP MP from Rajsamand), intends to visit significant religious sites in Udaipur. Arvind Singh has, however, vowed to prevent his entry, citing the legality of the coronation. The district collector, Arvind Poswal, stated that the administration is working to mediate the situation and address the ensuing issues. The conflict highlights the enduring tensions between tradition and legal frameworks within India’s former princely states.

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