BRS Leader KTR Slams Telangana Government Over Farmer Suicide, Terms It 'Murder'
In a scathing attack, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Sunday condemned the Telangana government over a farmer's suicide allegedly connected to delays in crop procurement. Rao labeled the incident as a "murder" and accused the administration of failing the state's cultivators.
Allegations of 'Robbers' Rule' Replace 'Rythu Bandhu'
In a post on social media platform X, Rao asserted that the previous "Rythu Bandhu rule" has been supplanted by what he called a "robbers' rule" under the current Congress government. He blamed the administration for not procuring harvested crops promptly, a failure he claimed has plunged farmers into severe distress and financial hardship.
Recalling Farmer's Anguish and Tragic Outcome
Rao recounted a visit to an Adilabad market yard last year, where farmer Tudum Ganapati publicly expressed his despair over being unable to sell his soybean produce. Ganapati had warned of taking extreme measures if the situation did not improve, stating he was burdened by debt with no loan waiver or government assurance.
"Three days ago, he ended his life. This is not suicide; it is a murder by the government," Rao alleged, emphasizing the tragic outcome of the farmer's plight.
Context of Chief Minister's Agricultural Initiatives
These remarks coincide with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's visit to Siddipet district for a series of agriculture and development programs. During his visit, Reddy is scheduled to:
- Attend the "Rythu Utsavalu" at Narmetta in Nangunuru mandal.
- Inaugurate the TG Oil Palm Factory.
- Lay the foundation stone for a refinery project.
- Launch multiple development works in Siddipet and Gajwel constituencies.
He is also expected to address a public gathering, where funds under the "Rythu Bharosa" scheme will be released to support farmers, highlighting the government's ongoing efforts to bolster agricultural support.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in Telangana's agricultural sector, with opposition leaders like Rao leveraging such tragedies to critique government policies and demand better support for farmers facing procurement challenges.
