Tamil Nadu Farmers Protest in Chennai Demanding Complete Cooperative Crop Loan Waiver

Farmers from across Tamil Nadu gathered in Chennai on Tuesday to hold a massive rally and petition campaign, demanding a complete waiver of all outstanding cooperative crop loans. The demonstration was organized to urge the state government to fulfill a poll assurance previously given by TVK chief and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.

Representatives from the Thamizhaga Vivasayigal Paadhukappu Sangam, who led the protest, stated that the state's existing loan waiver policy must be expanded. They demanded that the waiver be extended to cover all outstanding cooperative crop loans up to February 28, 2026. The association insisted that this relief should be granted to all farmers uniformly, without making any distinction between small, marginal, or other categories of agriculturalists.

While addressing the gathered protestors in Chennai, various farmers' leaders highlighted the deep economic crisis currently facing the agricultural sector. They argued that the farming community has been pushed into severe financial distress due to a combination of low farm incomes, inadequate price support for their crops, and highly limited procurement of agricultural produce by the government.

The protest also brought attention to the tragic death of T Somasundaram, a 71-year-old farmer from Pirinjimoolai in Nagapattinam district. Somasundaram had traveled to Chennai to participate in an earlier demonstration on Saturday, where he also demanded a full crop loan waiver. He passed away on Sunday after returning to his home village from the protest.

In light of the tragedy, DMK farmers’ wing secretary A K S Vijayan urged the state government to provide financial relief to the deceased farmer's family. Vijayan called on the government to pay Rs 50 lakh in compensation to the family of Somasundaram.

The protesting farmers emphasized that immediate government intervention is necessary to prevent further distress and loss of life within the agricultural community.