Protest by Sangh’s farmer outfit looming, Madhya Pradesh fully backtracks on land pooling scheme

The now-cancelled schemes were part of the state government’s plan to acquire agricultural land around Ujjain to develop a permanent sacred city and associated infrastructure ahead of the Simhastha festival. Farmers had opposed the move, arguing that fertile farmland was being taken for permanent construction in the name of religious and urban development.

The withdrawal of the schemes is a significant climbdown by the government, particularly as several BJP legislators from the region had also expressed reservations over the land pooling plan. With Simhastha 2028 preparations expected to accelerate in the coming months, the government is now likely to revisit its development strategy for Ujjain.

On November 17, amid early protests, the government had issued a modified order, claiming that land would be acquired only for essential infrastructure such as roads and drainage, and not for permanent structures. The clarification, however, failed to pacify farmers. The BKS accused the government of backtracking on its assurances and alleged that the modification amounted to a dilution rather than a withdrawal of the land pooling policy.

At a meeting held on Sunday, the BKS said 217 office bearers from 18 districts had resolved to intensify protests, accusing the government of “cheating” farmers by retaining the legal framework for land pooling. The organisation maintained that any acquisition, even for infrastructure, would permanently alter land use and undermine farmers’ livelihoods.