Simhastha in Ujjain: Farmers do not want to give land for permanent Kumbh city
Farmers in Ujjain have expressed strong opposition to the government’s plans for creating permanent infrastructure for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, citing concerns over losing fertile agricultural land and the long-term impact on their livelihoods.
Land Acquisition and Damage: During the 2016 Simhastha, over 3,300 hectares of farmland were temporarily acquired for festival infrastructure, including toilets and roads. Farmers reported that their land was left damaged due to concrete structures and other installations, making it unsuitable for farming without costly restoration efforts. Compensation provided by the government was deemed insufficient to cover these losses.
Concerns Over Permanent Infrastructure: The Madhya Pradesh government plans to reserve significant portions of land in Ujjain for permanent ashrams and facilities for the 2028 Simhastha, similar to arrangements in Haridwar. While this aims to reduce temporary construction issues, farmers fear losing fertile land permanently. Activists argue that barren or less productive land should be used instead.
Farmer Protests and Government Response: Farmers and activists have criticized the lack of consultation and inadequate compensation. The government has promised infrastructural support and hinted at increasing compensation, but this has not alleviated concerns about long-term agricultural losses.
The conflict highlights the tension between religious tourism development and protecting agricultural livelihoods in Ujjain.
