Thu Nov 20 23:27:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), a farmer organization, has accused the Madhya Pradesh government of misleading farmers regarding amendments to a land pooling scheme for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain. This accusation comes after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the reversal of the scheme following protests from farmers whose lands were affected. The BKS claims that a new notification issued by the government contradicts the CM’s assurances and complicates the matter. While the government states the scheme is now limited to essential infrastructure like roads and drainage, the BKS demands a complete rollback, threatening renewed agitation. The Congress party also calls for clarity, and impacted farmers numbers between 5,000-8,000 families. Government officials claim the land requirement has been reduced from 2,378 to 70 hectares with utlization of Goverment land. The land pooling scheme was introduced in 2024 with an aim of building a permanent Kumbh city with an investment of ₹2,000 crore and making permanent infrastructure.

News Article:

Farmer Group Accuses Madhya Pradesh Govt. of Deceit Over Kumbh Mela Land Scheme

BHOPAL, November 21, 2025 – The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), a prominent farmer organization, is accusing the Madhya Pradesh government of misleading farmers with a newly issued notification concerning the land pooling scheme for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain. The accusation comes just days after Chief Minister Mohan Yadav publicly announced the scheme’s reversal due to widespread farmer protests.

According to the BKS, the government’s notification, issued by the Urban Development and Housing Department, contradicts the CM’s pledge and complicates the situation for farmers whose lands fall within the Mela area. The notification outlines rules for the “Nagar Vikas Scheme,” intended to develop the Simhastha area.

While the government claims the scheme is now limited to land needed for essential infrastructure such as roads, water supply, and drainage, the BKS remains skeptical. “This notification appears to be just twisting the wordings of the scheme and creates confusion among farmers,” said BKS State president Kamal Singh Anjana. “We have given the government two days. Revoke the ‘Nagar Vikas Scheme’ completely or we will re-launch our agitation.”

The BKS is demanding a complete rollback of the scheme and is questioning the need for permanent infrastructure, arguing that the traditional tent-based setup of the Kumbh Mela should be preserved.

The Congress party has also weighed in, calling for clarity on the matter. “The government needs to bring a document in clear words. Verbal assurances will not help here,” stated Kedar Sirohi, president of the Madhya Pradesh Congress’s farmer cell. The land impacts 5,000-8,000 farmer families in 17 villages in the region.

Government officials maintain that the concerns regarding the original land pooling scheme have been addressed, claiming that only about 70 hectares are now needed for essential infrastructure and they are looking to acquire government land to further reduce impact. The original scheme, introduced in 2024, aimed to build a permanent Kumbh city with a ₹2,000 crore investment. The scheme was seen as an ambitious attempt by Mr. Yadav, who is an MLA from Ujjain, to transform it into a major pilgrim city. However, it has faced consistent opposition from local farmers, and its future now hangs in the balance.

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