Bengaluru: Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has levelled serious allegations that the State Congress Government has deliberately suppressed the ongoing cases of farmer suicides in Karnataka.
Addressing the media at the party’s state office, JP Bhavan, the Union Minister said, “Recently, I read a newspaper report titled ‘Rise in Farmer Suicides.’ and was deeply shocked after reading it. I had hoped that after such a report appeared, this government would wake up. But this government, which is busy holding conventions, has no concern for the welfare of farmers,” he lashed out.
Citing the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, the Union Minister stated that 2,423 farmers and agricultural labourers died by suicide in 2023 and 2,971 in 2024 in Karnataka. “In just two years, a total of 5,394 farmers have lost their lives. Karnataka stands second in the country in farmer suicide cases. Is the State Government unaware of these figures? Or is it knowingly suppressing them?” he questioned.
The Minister further alleged that the government had deliberately concealed such a massive number of farmer suicides. “Have they organised a convention in Tumakuru to celebrate these suicides?” he criticised.
“If it rains for just ten minutes, waterlogging can be seen everywhere in the city. Yet this government has spent crores of rupees extravagantly for this convention. The government itself has to bring people to attend. Officials have been given targets to mobilise crowds. Since people do not voluntarily attend Congress programmes, the government is misusing officials for political purposes,” Kumaraswamy criticised.
“This government has built a tomb over the lives of farmers and is showcasing its grandeur on top of it. The people will never forgive them. On one side, farmers are dying every day, while on the other, they are celebrating in the name of guarantees. If these guarantees were truly effective, why would farmers be committing suicide?” the Minister asked.
He also accused the government of excessively publicising several issues related to the Revenue Department in the name of the convention. “Even last year, they mainly discussed title deeds. Farmers who approach us, and people we meet across districts, repeatedly complain about problems in the Revenue Department. They are now claiming to provide a ‘Land Guarantee’ as the sixth guarantee scheme and gaining free publicity. But the continuing series of farmer suicides in the state repeatedly exposes the true capability of this government,” he said angrily.
Ready for Debate on Bidadi Township:
Responding to the challenge issued by the State Deputy Chief Minister regarding the Bidadi Township issue, the Union Minister said he was ready for a discussion anywhere.
“I am prepared for a debate. Let them come wherever they want. In Bidadi, nearly 3,500 people have submitted objections and petitions. Farmers are being threatened through goons and the police. If the project was genuinely beneficial, farmers themselves would have happily given their land. But here, farmers are unwilling to part with their land. Therefore, the government must act in the interest of farmers,” the Minister said.