In Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh has sided with local farmers and called for Prime Minister intervention.
In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, a contentious issue surrounding the land pooling scheme for the 'Simhastha Spiritual City' in Ujjain continues to unfold. The state government, via the Ujjain Development Authority (UDA), plans to acquire approximately 2,400 hectares of land in the Simhastha camp area to develop the spiritual city in preparation for Simhastha Mahaparv-2028.
However, the proposed permanent land acquisition has met with strong opposition from local farmers and organizations such as the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS). The BKS, a farmer organization affiliated with the RSS, has officially opposed the permanent acquisition and suggested that land should be taken only temporarily, respecting traditional practices.
The BKS has written a letter to the Prime Minister seeking intervention, highlighting concerns about the government's approach to land acquisition for the project. BKS leaders have been advised to avoid aggressiveness towards the state government while they finalize their strategy to support the farmers' cause until a just resolution is achieved.
The farmers' protests against the scheme remain active, despite preventive actions by authorities, including detentions of key protest leaders. Local organizations such as the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti spearhead these protests, demanding fair treatment and resolution of their objections.
The BKS claims that they have met UDA CEO Sandeep Kumar Soni multiple times but he was not ready to understand the practical issues. The organization has put forth a set of recommendations for the better organization of the Simhastha, including the construction of fairgrounds along the riverbanks, as has been the tradition since ancient times.
In a recent development, a political heavyweight in the state capital has reportedly contacted top BKS leaders, informing them that senior administrative officials will soon be sent to Delhi to brief them about the scheme. The current status of the land pooling scheme is highly contentious, indicating an ongoing, unresolved dispute with political and administrative engagement on all sides.
References: [1] The Indian Express, "Bharatiya Kisan Sangh opposes land acquisition for 'Simhastha Spiritual City', writes to PM", (date of publication not specified) [2] Free Press Journal, "Farmers' protest against land pooling scheme for 'Simhastha Spiritual City' continue in Ujjain", (date of publication not specified)
- The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has voiced its objections to the land acquisition policy-and-legislation for the development of the 'Simhastha Spiritual City' in Ujjain, India, and has penned a letter to the Prime Minister in appeal for intervention.
- Instead of permanent land acquisition, the BKS has suggested a temporary acquisition of land, respecting traditional practices, in the ongoing dispute over the 'Simhastha Spiritual City' land pooling scheme.
- In a bid to find a resolution to the contentious issue surrounding the 'Simhastha Spiritual City' land pooling scheme, top BKS leaders have been recently contacted by a political heavyweight, hinting at political engagements and possible briefings about the scheme from senior administrative officials.
