Is the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Protesting Against the Land Pooling Policy in Ujjain?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bharatiya Kisan Sangh is protesting against the land pooling policy in Ujjain.
- Over 2,000 farmers are expected to participate.
- The protest is set for Wednesday at Bhumi Mata Mandir.
- Farmers oppose permanent structures for Simhastha-2028.
- This marks the fifth protest since February.
Ujjain, November 17 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), which is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), is preparing to initiate a new wave of protests against the land pooling policy in Ujjain on Tuesday.
Bharat Singh, the Madhya Pradesh BKS Convenor, has stated that over 2,000 farmers from Ujjain and nearby districts in the Malwa-Nimar region are expected to participate in this demonstration to voice their concerns.
“Farmers from 18 districts, including Ujjain, will convene at the Bhumi Mata Mandir at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, followed by a march toward the District Collector's office. The protest will continue until the Madhya Pradesh government retracts its land pooling scheme,” Singh informed the media.
The BKS has been voicing its opposition to the state's land pooling policy, especially in Ujjain, which is the home district of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, since the policy was rolled out in January this year.
The core of the conflict between the farmers and the state government revolves around the acquisition of land to construct permanent structures in preparation for the Simhastha-2028.
In an effort to obtain extensive agricultural land, the Madhya Pradesh government, led by CM Mohan Yadav, introduced this land pooling policy.
Conversely, farmers have contested the government's plans to erect permanent structures, including Ashrams, for the upcoming Simhastha Maha Kumbh in Ujjain.
Farmers allege they are being coerced into selling their agricultural land.
According to the farmers and their organizations, including the BKS, the Simhastha Kumbh Mela occurs every 12 years; hence, the construction of permanent facilities would be unnecessary for the subsequent 11 years.
BKS functionary Bharat Singh remarked, “The Simhastha Maha Kumbh, which draws millions of devotees from across India and beyond, has been celebrated for thousands of years, yet no one has ever considered establishing permanent infrastructure for this religious festival.”
He further noted that farmers would only use these facilities for 11 years and could offer them for the Simhastha for just one year.
“This is the crux of the protest. The government intends to build enduring structures under the pretext of Simhastha, while temporary arrangements would suffice,” he added.
This marks the fifth protest by the BKS against the land pooling scheme in Ujjain since February.
Despite several meetings between Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and BKS representatives, no tangible solution has emerged from these discussions.