In a major set back to the firebrand young MLA from Sheo, Barmer – Ravindra Singh Bhati – Barmer district collector Tina Dabi cancelled the permission for organising Rohidi Music Festival overruling the permission given by the SDM Gadra Road for the fest scheduled on January 12, 2025.
This may invite a fresh duel between collector and MLA Bhati, who has been busy these days raising movements against government and solar companies engaged in power generation in desert land.
The fest, aimed at promoting culture, traditional music and art, promises to nurture local talent and showcase the dying art and culture of Barmer on the lines of Sam desert in Jaisalmer.
SDM Gadra Road Hanumana Ram had granted permission on December 31,2024 to organise the fest at Rohidi, 5 kms away from Pakistan on the recommendation of district collector.
Within 10 days of issuing permission, Dabi retracted it 72 hours ahead of the scheduled programme citing security concerns while independent MLA Bhati termed it as a political vendetta.
”This is a political conspiracy. I had sought permission two months back and received it on December 31, 2024. After that I started preparations. Now out of blue, the permissions has been cancelled just hours before the programme leaving me stranded,” Bhati said.
In the cancellation order, Dabi reasoned among few residents of Barmer that the fest will pose security concerns as the venue is just five kms away from Pakistan border.
“Since the venue is near Pakistan border, there is likelihood of some suspicious activities due to incursion of outsiders who can create problems for locals and pose threat to national security,” the order reads.
While Bhati had been preparing hard for this fest for over a week, Barmer collector Tina Dabi said that the permission was cancelled as the MLA failed to furnish detail of participants after getting permission from the SDM.
Venue too close to Pak border, raises concerns over national security
She said that the area is a prohibited zone being the sensitive international border.
“Apart from locals, it's mandatory for people to get prior permission while visiting here. They have not submitted detail of people participating in this fest,” she said.
The collector had received bouts from various agencies, which have put objections against organising such show at the this security-sensitive venue.
“SDM Gadra Road, Barmer SP and DIG sector head quarter Border Security Force – all have collectively objected against organising the fest. The district collector acted upon inputs received from these senior officers,” said a senior officer of Barmer collectorate.
Alok Mathur is a law graduate. Journalism is his first love which he now pursues in the latter half of his career. Controversies and crime are the right triggers for him.
