Ujjain: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav set an example on Sunday by striking the first blow on his ancestral home in Ujjain that is being demolished to make way for widening the road outside.
The CM was visibly emotional when he reacted to the demolition, stating that it is natural to have an emotional attachment to a place where one grows up.
Yadav’s ancestral home and his sister’s house came under the scope of a demolition project in the Abdalpura area of Ujjain, where preparations for Simhastha 2028 are underway, as reported by News18.
“It is natural to have an emotional attachment and connection to a place where you resided and grew up. However, this is necessary for the development of the city,” Yadav told PTI.
The red-marked portions of 2-3 affected houses were demolished on Saturday. The Municipal Corporation’s demolition drive for the road-widening project continued on Sunday. Several residents have started removing the affected sections of their houses themselves.
The chief minister’s ancestral home is among 272 houses marked for demolition for the proposed road-widening project.
Yadav initiated the demolition of his house by striking the first blow with a pickaxe. He was also seen performing a small-scale puja at the site before kicking off the project.
“This is the place where I grew up, playing and running around, and now I am stepping forward to dismantle it with my own hands. It certainly has an emotional impact. However, if it is necessary for the administration and essential for the Simhastha, then this sacrifice must be made”, Yadav said, as reported by ANI.
Those whose houses are affected by the drive are willingly dedicating themselves to the cause, Yadav said.
“I am satisfied that we are all doing this together… The entire state and the country are watching this. People are demolishing their homes willingly and happily, dedicating themselves to the cause so that others may benefit greatly”, he said.