Farmers declare hunger strike demanding complete crop loan waiver

Trichy: Several farmers’ associations announced on Thursday that they would begin an indefinite hunger strike in Chennai starting from September 1, demanding that the Tamil Nadu government provide a complete crop loan waiver to farmers as promised in its election manifesto.Representatives of 17 organisations and their leaders and office-bearers participated in the consultation meeting held in Trichy. They strongly condemned the Tamil Nadu government’s gradual approach to crop loan waiver that followed earlier farmers’ protests. The groups insisted that all loans outstanding as of March 31, 2026, must be waived without any conditions.The leaders expressed their disappointment that chief minister C Joseph Vijay is yet to fully waive the crop loans in accordance with the assurance given in his election campaign.To condemn the lack of action and to press their demand, the representatives unanimously resolved to conduct an indefinite hunger strike and continuous sit-in protest from September 1 in Chennai. They said the agitations would continue until the government implements a full and unconditional waiver of the crop loans as promised.The leaders also decided to form a joint agitation committee to coordinate the protest and to strengthen the movement by including all farmers’ associations.