Rajasthan approves draft Bill to restrict property transfer in ‘disturbed areas’ to address communal tension

The Rajasthan Cabinet on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) approved a Bill to designate certain areas in the State as “disturbed” to address the issue of distress sale of properties and infringement of tenants’ rights during communal violence. The Bill will be tabled in the upcoming budget session of the State Assembly.

Law Minister Jogaram Patel said after the Cabinet meeting in Jaipur that the areas affected by violence, mob unrest, or “improper clustering” — with a change in demographic profile — could be declared as disturbed. The transfer of immovable properties in such areas without prior permission of the competent authority will be null and void.

The proposed legislation has been titled as the Rajasthan Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provisions for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from the Premises in Disturbed Areas Bill, 2026.

“We have noticed that the population of a particular community is increasing fast in certain areas… The demographic imbalance disturbs communal harmony and creates difficulties for permanent residents. The situation during riots and public unrest warrants a special law to deal with these issues,” Mr. Patel said.

The Minister said the permanent residents of the areas affected by communal violence were often forced to sell their properties at low prices. The Bill, which will deal with this situation, has made the offences committed in violation of its provisions non-bailable and cognisable, and punishable with imprisonment ranging from three to five years and a fine.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party government claimed that the new law would help maintain communal harmony and social structure, the Opposition Congress expressed outrage and described the Bill as a step to take forward the ruling party’s political agenda, based on its “communal mindset”.

Pradesh Congress Committee president Govind Singh Dotasra said the statute was being brought to “legitimise the BJP’s hooliganism” and destabilise a peaceful State like Rajasthan. “This Bill has been drafted on the pattern of a similar law enforced in Gujarat. It is clearly meant to create an atmosphere of fear and give unbridled powers to the bureaucracy,” he said.

Mr. Dotasra, at a press conference, said that the Bill would not only pave the way for the BJP to sow discord in society, but it would also deter investors from the State, reduce trade, and decrease the land prices. “Demographic imbalance is not a legal term. There is no mention of the basis on which an area will be declared disturbed. The BJP wants to remain in power by following the Gujarat model,” the PCC chief said.

Other decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, pertained to the adoption of the State’s first semiconductor policy and a new aerospace and defence policy, aimed at positioning Rajasthan as a major manufacturing and services hub for high-technology industries.