Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Neemuch Bandh Supports Campaign To Save Playground From School Construction
People in Neemuch are trying to protect a playground.
The administration wants to build a school on the site.
Players say the ground is needed for football, running and other sports practice.
They want the school to be built somewhere else.
About 400 to 500 players and sports supporters joined an earlier rally.
Many shops and businesses closed until 1 pm to support the campaign.
Officials said sports facilities would still be built at the campus.
The disagreement continues because construction preparations have already started.
A citywide bandh was observed in Neemuch until 1 pm on Saturday to support saving the Higher Secondary No. 2 playground.
Around 400-500 players and sports enthusiasts previously rallied against building a school on the ground.
Protesters said the playground should remain exclusively for sports and is important for developing local sporting talent.
The administration said school construction would proceed on the campus alongside basketball, football, cricket, volleyball and running-track facilities.
Construction preparations and site layout marking have begun, while organisers said their campaign would continue.
- Who
- Players, sports enthusiasts, the Khel Maidan Bachao Samiti and supporting traders are opposing construction; the Neemuch administration supports building the school on the campus.
- What
- A bandh and rally campaign are seeking to preserve the Higher Secondary No. 2 playground and stop or relocate the proposed school building.
- When
- The bandh took place on Saturday until 1 pm; an earlier rally followed a Thursday meeting that failed to reach consensus.
- Where
- Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh, centered on the Higher Secondary No. 2 playground and surrounding city roads.
- Why
- Protesters say the ground is essential for sports training and nurturing sporting talent, while the administration says school and sports facilities can coexist on the campus.
Protect The Playground
Build The School On Campus
Use of the land
Protect The Playground
Players and campaign organisers want the ground preserved exclusively for sports, saying it supports training and the development of Neemuch’s sporting talent.
Build The School On Campus
The administration maintains that the school building will be constructed on the campus and that sports facilities will also be developed there.
Preferred location
Protect The Playground
Protesters want the proposed school moved to an alternative site rather than built on the sports ground.
Build The School On Campus
The administration’s stated plan is to construct the school building at the campus site.
Effect of construction
Protect The Playground
Players argue that construction could harm an important sports centre and have intensified their opposition after the layout was marked.
Build The School On Campus
Officials say basketball, football, cricket, volleyball and running facilities will remain available to players, though construction preparations have already started.
- Location
- Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh
- Protest action
- City bandh until 1 pm on Saturday
- Rally participation
- Approximately 400-500 players and sports enthusiasts
- Proposed site
- Higher Secondary No. 2 playground
- School references
- The reports refer to the proposed building as both a CM Rise School and a Sandipani school building
- Sports facilities cited by administration
- Basketball, football, cricket, volleyball and a running track
- Construction status
- The construction process had begun and the site layout was marked
- Negotiations
- A Thursday meeting with the administration did not produce consensus
