Indore Christian College Land Reclamation Order Sparks Academic Crisis
The district administration in Indore has issued a significant order to reclaim 1.702 hectares of prime land from the historic Indore Christian College, casting a profound shadow of uncertainty over the current academic session. This directive directly impacts nearly 2,300 students enrolled at the institution, who now face an anxious wait regarding their educational future.
Administration Declares Land Government Property
Collector Shivam Verma's order declares the valuable land, situated near Indore railway station and estimated to be worth approximately Rs 400 crore, as government property. The investigation revealed that survey number 407/1669/3 does not fall under the college's ownership category as per Section 158 of the MP Land Revenue Code, 1959. Instead, it has been officially classified as Government Land.
Violation of Original Grant Terms Cited
The administration's findings indicate that the land was originally provided as a conditional ordinary grant by Maharani Bhagirathibai Holkar to the Mission specifically for operating a college and a hospital for women. However, the Collector's order points out several critical deviations:
- The original Mission entity to which the land was granted no longer exists.
- No women's hospital is currently operational on the premises.
- The college is now run by a different entity that charges fees, which contradicts the original philanthropic intent.
- Permission sought from the Town & Country Planning department for commercial use of the land is viewed as evidence of straying from foundational purposes.
Consequently, the Additional Tehsildar of Juni Indore has been directed to take possession of the land within three days.
College Administration's Response and Defense
College principal Amit David has strongly contested the administration's claims, asserting that the land was a gift and not a lease. He confirmed that the college is considering an appeal to the divisional commissioner or the court, though procedural delays have occurred due to weekend holidays and Republic Day.
"Both the college and the hospital are operational," Principal David stated. Addressing allegations of commercial intent, he explained that the college merely sought permission to construct shops and offices to generate essential revenue, a practice common among institutions allotted government lands. He emphasized that no construction has commenced, and "just seeking permission does not constitute a violation; if denied, we would drop the plan."
Immediate Academic Concerns for Students
The most pressing issue remains the fate of 2,300 students pursuing degrees in Law, Commerce, and Arts. With final examinations scheduled to begin in February, the college administration admits to being clueless about how to proceed if the campus is seized. "Given the present scenario, we see no way out how to complete this academic session," David lamented. He also noted that the college learned of the Collector's order through newspapers and has not yet received any formal notice.
Historical Significance of the Institution
Established in 1887, Indore Christian College holds notable historical and cultural significance. It served as the alma mater of legendary Bollywood playback singer and actor Kishore Kumar, who was enrolled between 1946 and 1948 for intermediate studies after completing high school in his hometown Khandwa.
As this land reclamation order unfolds, the educational community in Indore watches closely, hoping for a resolution that safeguards the academic interests of thousands of students while addressing the legal and administrative complexities surrounding this prime property.
