Farmers across several districts in Tamil Nadu have launched protests against the state government’s recently announced crop loan waiver scheme, alleging that the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) failed to fulfil its key election promise of a complete farm loan waiver. The protests have intensified political pressure on Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s government just weeks after it came to power.
The controversy began after the government announced that marginal farmers with cooperative bank crop loans of up to ₹50,000 would receive a full waiver. Small farmers would get partial relief, while larger farmers would receive a fixed assistance amount of ₹5,000.
However, farmer organisations and opposition parties claim that the scheme falls far short of the promise made during the 2026 Assembly election campaign. TVK had reportedly assured that all crop loans of farmers owning up to five acres of land would be completely waived if the party came to power.
Protests were reported from Vellore, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Tiruchy districts, where farmers staged demonstrations and submitted petitions demanding the government implement the original promise without restrictions. Farmer groups accused the government of misleading rural voters during the election campaign.
Several farmer leaders said the revised scheme would benefit only a limited section of cultivators while excluding thousands struggling with higher debts. Some organisations warned of larger agitations if the government fails to amend the policy. Farmers in Ranipet reportedly announced plans for another protest in early June demanding a full waiver.
Opposition parties have also targeted the government over the issue. AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami described the waiver announcement as a “scientific deception,” while Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the government of “betraying” farmers after winning votes through ambitious promises.
The ruling TVK government has defended the scheme, saying it was designed to provide immediate relief while balancing the state’s financial situation. Officials argue that the waiver will help thousands of economically weaker farmers burdened by debt and rising agricultural costs.
Agriculture remains a highly sensitive political issue in Tamil Nadu, where demands for loan waivers have led to major protests in the past, including the well-known 2017 farmers’ agitation in Delhi.
