Premium

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

State scraps four proposed town development schemes linked to preparations for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh

3 min readDec 17, 2025 12:35 PM IST

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.

The Madhya Pradesh government has withdrawn its land pooling move in Ujjain, scrapping four proposed town development schemes linked to preparations for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh, following sustained opposition from farmers’ groups and mounting political pressure.

In a late-night order issued by the urban development department, deputy secretary C K Sadhav said the state government had “completely cancelled” the amendment made on November 17 to town development schemes 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Ujjain Development Authority. The order stated that the earlier decision to modify these schemes had been revoked in the public interest.

The decision comes days after the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), a farmers’ organisation affiliated with the RSS, announced an indefinite sit-in protest from December 26 at the administrative complex in Ujjain. The organisation had warned of a large-scale agitation, with participation from farmers across multiple districts, if the land pooling framework was not withdrawn in toto.

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.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...