‘Haven’t you consumed pesticide yet?’: Telangana tahsildar’s remarks to farmer spark row

HYDERABAD: “Haven’t you consumed pesticide yet? Are you still alive?” These are the remarks that Gajwel tahsildar P H Swamy allegedly made to a farmer who approached his office over a land dispute, triggering widespread criticism after a video of the exchange surfaced on social media.The video shows the farmer, Yesu, from Maktha Masanpally village in Gajwel mandal of Siddipet district, expressing distress over his situation and questioning the official’s response. When the farmer allegedly asked whether the tahsildar found his plight amusing, Swamy reportedly replied, “Yes, I do. Of course, I do.” The remarks have drawn criticism from social media users, with demands for senior revenue officials to look into the incident and take appropriate action.The farmer’s grievance was linked to compensation for agricultural land being acquired for the Regional Ring Road (RRR). The incident has raised questions over the manner in which a revenue official allegedly responded to a farmer seeking a resolution to a land-related problem.Speaking to TOI, Swamy said the video was old and offered his version of the events leading up to the exchange. He said Yesu had been visiting his office frequently and demanding the release of compensation for the land, which could not be acquired because of a dispute among family members over its partition.According to Swamy, he had repeatedly explained to the farmer that the acquisition and payment of compensation could proceed only after the family resolved the dispute. The tahsildar said Yesu had also threatened several times to consume pesticide if the money was not credited.Swamy said that on one occasion, the farmer arrived at his office in an intoxicated state and created a disturbance. He lodged a complaint with the police, who kept Yesu at the station for a day, warned him and sent him away. No FIR was registered in the matter, he said.Explaining the circumstances in which he made the remarks, Swamy said around 15 people were present in his room at the time and that the farmer had repeatedly threatened to consume pesticide. He added that the family subsequently resolved its land dispute, following which the land was acquired and compensation was credited to the family members’ accounts.However, the video has continued to draw criticism over the reported remarks and the way the farmer was addressed while seeking help with a land-related issue.Siddipet district revenue officer D Nagarajamma told TOI that she was not aware of the incident.As of Saturday, no inquiry had been ordered into the matter.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Hyderabad | Silver Rate in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Petrol Price in Hyderabad | Diesel Price in Hyderabad | CNG Price in Hyderabad | LPG Price in HyderabadStay updated with the latest Hyderabad news. Download the TOI App.