Farmers say the concrete and asbestos used to build structures will ruin crops.
On a part of the 500
bighas of land temporarily acquired in Ujjain's Ninora village, massive air conditioned tents and a grand stage have been set up for the three-day international seminar to spread the message of the Simhastha Kumbh, which was inaugurated by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat this morning.
"Three-four years ago I met shankaracharya of Puri, he was concerned that the message from Kumbh is not being conveyed. I am glad this is being done at Simhastha Kumbh by the Madhya Pradesh government and people," Mr Bhagwat, 65, said while addressing the conference.
But the message has come with a cost, claim local farmers. Their fertile land has been taken away to build roads and helipads. Farmers say the concrete and asbestos used to build toilets and other structures will ruin crops.
"My farmland has been flattened, water pipeline has been buried. They did not take my consent for constructing structures or even cutting trees. My family will lose at least Rs 16 lakh in farming. I opposed but Indore administration is now misbehaving with us," said farmer Lakshman Nath.
The state government says it will ensure all land is made fit for farming before it is returned.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told NDTV, "We have taken land with their consent and paid compensation. I have spoken to the farmers. We will remove all permanent constructions before handing over the land."