Munish Sood
MANDI
A major controversy has erupted in Himachal Pradesh after the state government began the process of allotting 92 bighas of land to Mir Bakhsh, a resident of Balh in Mandi district, following the directives of the Supreme Court. The decision, which involves identifying alternate land parcels across the district, has sparked widespread opposition in the Nachan Assembly constituency.
Supreme Court Orders and the ₹1,000-Crore Compensation
The dispute dates back several years when Bakhsh’s ancestral land in Ner Chowk, Mandi, was acquired by the government for the construction of a medical college and other institutions. The matter reached the Supreme Court, which recently ruled that the state must either restore 92 bighas of land to Bakhsh or pay him a compensation amount exceeding ₹1,000 crore.
Faced with the staggering financial burden, the state government under Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has opted to provide land in lieu of compensation. The Mandi district administration has since been scouting suitable locations for allotment.
Opposition in Nachan Gains Momentum
The administration has identified two parcels of land—one in Chhatar Panchayat and another in Bhaur village, both falling under the Nachan Assembly segment. However, this move has been met with stiff resistance from locals and political leaders alike.
On Saturday, Nachan MLA Vinod Kumar led a delegation of 12 panchayats, women’s groups, former panchayat representatives, and the BJP’s Nachan Mandal unit, submitting a memorandum to the state government through the SDM Sundernagar. The delegation categorically opposed the transfer of local land to Mir Bakhsh.
“Land Donated by Our Ancestors Cannot Be Given Away”
Speaking to reporters, MLA Vinod Kumar emphasized that the land in Chhatar Panchayat is under the control of the Agriculture Department and was originally donated decades ago by local ancestors for agricultural purposes. “This land was given in good faith for agricultural development. The government now plans to build a Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding School here. Under no circumstances can this land be diverted to settle another case,” Kumar stated.
He further stressed that if Mir Bakhsh’s land was acquired in Balh, then the government must provide compensation within Balh itself and not by transferring resources from other constituencies.
Industrial Development at Stake in Bhaur
The second identified site, located in Bhaur, belongs to the Sericulture Department. According to MLA Kumar, plans to establish an industrial area on this land have been in the pipeline since the previous government’s tenure. Work on the project has already begun, and locals are hopeful that the industrial zone will generate employment opportunities and attract investments.
“Handing over this land to one individual will derail industrial development and deprive locals of livelihood prospects,” Kumar warned.
Court Orders Not in Question, Say Protesters
The legislator clarified that neither he nor the protesting groups are questioning the Supreme Court’s decision. “We fully respect the court’s judgment. Our objection is only to the manner in which the administration is implementing it. The principle should be clear—if land was taken from Balh, then it should be returned in Balh. Moving the burden to Nachan is unfair to our people,” he added.
Warning of Wider Agitation
The opposition has now taken the shape of a larger political issue, with MLA Kumar warning of intensified protests if the government fails to reconsider. “If the government goes ahead with this move, people will have no choice but to come out on the streets. The agitation will only grow stronger,” he said.
Government in a Dilemma
The Sukhu government finds itself caught in a difficult position—compensating Bakhsh in cash would mean paying over ₹1,000 crore, a sum that could strain the state’s already fragile finances. On the other hand, identifying alternate land has triggered protests in every proposed location.
The case has thus become a test of the government’s administrative and political handling, with ripple effects likely across Himachal’s political landscape. Opposition parties are expected to sharpen their attacks, accusing the government of mismanaging both land resources and public sentiment.
The Road Ahead
As the dispute intensifies, the state administration must now balance the Supreme Court’s binding orders, the interests of local communities, and the economic implications of its decisions. The coming weeks are expected to witness heightened political activity and possible public demonstrations in Mandi district.
For now, one thing is clear: the Mir Bakhsh land case has evolved from a legal battle into one of the most sensitive political and developmental challenges facing Himachal Pradesh.
