Hyderabad: From being treated like kings to being chased on the streets like criminals, Telangana’s farmers remain locked in a near-permanent protest mode even as the 2025 Kharif harvest season ends. Sporadic demonstrations that began in early 2024, soon after the Congress came to power, have escalated into highway blockades, dharnas and frequent clashes with police, reflecting anger over unfulfilled electoral promises, climate disasters and persistent input and procurement problems.
The Congress government, which came to power in December 2023, repeatedly claimed it had waived crop loans worth Rs 21,000 crore benefiting around 25 lakh farmers in 2024. However, thousands of farmers say the waived amount was credited to their accounts only to be debited overnight without explanation. Banks continue aggressive recovery, pushing many small and marginal farmers towards financial trouble.