New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s dream project of a “spiritual city” in Ujjain is facing opposition from an unexpected quarter—Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) affiliate Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS).
The BKS, a farmers’ organisation, is opposing the acquisition of 2,400 hectares of land to build a concrete spiritual city ahead of the 2028 Simhastha, one of the Kumbh Melas held every 12 years in Ujjain, besides Haridwar, Prayagraj and Nashik.
The outfit is accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of “trying to grab” farmers’ land through the land pooling policy to build permanent structures, which it says is undesirable, arguing that Ujjain has been hosting the Kumbh for centuries without land acquisition for permanent construction.
BKS general secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra told ThePrint that a complaint was made to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and it has also decided to raise the issue before RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during the Sangh’s All-India coordination meeting in Jodhpur this weekend.
All Sangh affiliates as well as BJP leaders, including party president J. P. Nadda and national general secretary (organisation) B. L. Santhosh, are expected to be present there.
CM Yadav, who hails from Ujjain, had announced plans for the construction of the spiritual city at the Madhya Pradesh Global Investors’ Summit this February.
“The plan to set up a spiritual city spread over an area of around 3,300 hectares in Ujjain is being approved,” he said. “A blueprint has been prepared for the development of Ujjain as a religious destination like Haridwar, with the involvement of elected representatives. The Simhastha will be organised in 2028. Sadhus and saints need proper space for lodging and other activities. Considering this, the state plans to build permanent ashrams. Private companies will also be invited to participate in city development.”
Mishra, however, wondered why the government wants to acquire 2,400 hectares in Ujjain for the Simhastha.
“For so many years, Ujjain has been hosting the mela. Land is temporarily taken for a camp city, like in Prayagraj. The state takes land for a few months, pays compensation to farmers, and then returns the land after the mela. This time, however, officials have proposed constructing a permanent city for the fair. The Simhastha takes place once in 12 years. What is the logic of acquiring land and making permanent constructions for a 12-yearly event?” he asked.
“The government passed the land pooling law, and the way it was passed in a hushed manner raised suspicion among farmers.”
This March, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly had passed a bill to amend the Town and Country Planning Act, adding a section to allow land pooling for all projects.
“We have been opposing the law, which promises that against acquired land, developed land will be given to farmers. Farmers are protesting in Ujjain because they suspect the government will construct malls and hotels that will eventually go into private hands, while farmers will permanently lose their land,” he added.
Ever since the government announced plans for the spiritual city and amid reports of the Ujjain Development Authority possibly starting land acquisition, protests have been taking place daily in Ujjain and nearby Indore.
When BJP’s Santhosh visited Bhopal for a party meeting Monday, farmers and BKS workers stormed the BJP office and briefed him about their concerns. At a two-day BKS meeting in Bhopal Monday, the outfit also threatened to launch a state-wide agitation.
ThePrint tried to reach Sandeep Kumar Soni, CEO of Ujjain Development Authority, and secretary in the state urban development department through phone but did not get a response.
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Govt faces the heat
As the BKS escalated the matter to the BJP high command, Amit Shah personally asked Yadav about the necessity of permanent construction in Ujjain for the mela, sources in the know told ThePrint.
At Yadav’s meeting with Shah last week, the Union Home Minister questioned the CM and other officials about why they want to acquire land. The officials told him that farmers’ interests would be protected and developed land would be given back to them, citing Haridwar as a precedent. However, it was noted that Haridwar’s case was of “many years ago” and Shah remained unconvinced, the sources said.
“Farmers don’t want to give their land. Many state government buildings are already dilapidated, and the state has no funds to repair them. Who will look after the permanent buildings constructed in Ujjain after the Simhastha? They will become homes for drug addicts for the remaining 11 years,” BKS Madhya Pradesh president Kamal Singh Anjana told ThePrint.
“We have met farmers from 17 villages who are opposing the government’s move. Private players will get land for constructing hotels and malls, and there is no clarity on when farmers will get the developed land. That’s why we are opposing the decision.”
Not only is the Yadav government facing heat from an RSS affiliate, the chief minister also faced opposition from BJP MLAs in the budget session of the assembly.
Alot MLA Chintamani Malviya had raised the issue on the floor, saying that Ujjain farmers were terrified and angry. “Earlier, their land was taken by the government for only three-six months. Now, they are getting notices for permanent acquisition. I don’t know which official suggested constructing a spiritual city in Ujjain. A city becomes spiritual due to the devotion of people, not because of buildings,” he had said.
Malviya conceded that he had highlighted the grievances of the farmers and that even an RSS affiliate was raising the same concerns. “There is no logic in constructing permanent structures; officials are fooling the CM,” he told ThePrint.
Another BJP state leader said that the issue was sensitive and had already reached Shah and would also reach Bhagwat, and that the CM would likely take advice on the matter.
“Many have complained to the Centre that if land is taken away, it will become another Singur. Land is a very sensitive issue. Without proper compensation and clear public purpose, the government should not encroach upon farmers’ territory. There may also be vested commercial interests involved. So, the state government will wait for the Centre’s advice before moving ahead.”
Yadav, however, held a review meeting Tuesday, in which he reportedly asked secretaries to complete all developmental work in Ujjain by December 2027 and showcase the Simhastha as a global event.
The CM apparently wants to make the 2028 religious event a grand success in order to consolidate the Hindutva base as it will also be an election year for Madhya Pradesh.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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