Rattan Mann, the state president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Tikait, has declared that the year 2025 will be etched in memory as a period of immense suffering and economic exploitation for the farmers of Haryana. He has leveled serious allegations of multi-thousand-crore scams in the procurement of key crops, accusing the government and political parties of being mute spectators to the crisis.
Multi-Crore Scams Shatter Farmer Livelihoods
According to Mann, the backbone of Haryana's farming community was broken by organized scandals in the procurement of paddy, bajra, and moong. He singled out the paddy procurement scam as particularly devastating, alleging it was so large and well-coordinated that it surpassed all previous scandals in scale. "Thousands of crores of rupees were siphoned off in the name of farmers' produce," Mann claimed, stating that this caused massive financial damage to both the farmers and the state treasury.
He revealed that fresh details of the corruption emerged daily from various districts across the state, exposing the deep and widespread nature of the fraud. Farmers, he said, faced severe economic hardship unlike ever before in 2025, with many not receiving their full due, payments mired in irregularities, and indifferent government policies pushing them further into distress.
Deafening Silence in the Assembly
Rattan Mann raised critical questions about the role of Haryana's political establishment during the recently concluded Assembly session. He expressed deep disappointment that both the ruling party and the opposition failed to address the farmers' plight on the floor of the House.
"Shockingly, not a single word was spoken on such a massive scam," Mann stated. He questioned why the government maintained silence despite the alleged enormity of the irregularities and why no one was held accountable. He noted that while leaders from all parties were present, the expected forceful raising of the issue by the opposition and a response from Minister Nayab Singh Saini never materialized.
Exploitation Beyond a Single Crop
Mann clarified that the exploitation was not confined to paddy alone. "There are scams in bajra and moong as well. Farmers were deceived in the name of every crop," he alleged. He asserted that even as layer upon layer of truth came to light in every district, the individuals responsible remained shielded from consequences.
"If there were no farmers and no crops, this loot would not have been possible. Farmers' hard work was exploited, while the perpetrators sit comfortably at home," he added, highlighting the sense of injustice.
A Call for Unity and Self-Reliance
Declaring that the time for silence is over, the BKU leader called upon farmers to unite and strategize. He urged them to deliberate in every village, understand how the large-scale exploitation was orchestrated, and formulate a collective plan to combat it. Mann warned that the pain inflicted in 2025 would have significant political and social consequences, and those ignoring the farmers' suffering would be held to account.
Looking ahead, Mann expressed pessimism for 2026 if the government fails to address the losses of the past year. "The current situation does not indicate any relief for farmers in the new year," he said, emphasizing that farmers must now rely on their own strength. "We have to organise, become stronger and fight for our rights. There is little hope left from the government," Rattan Mann concluded.
