Tamil Nadu farmers demand full loan waiver, protest sparks arrests

Farmers' unions in Tamil Nadu pressed the state government for a complete waiver of agricultural loans, asking that smallholders receive a 100 % waiver and larger farmers a 50 % waiver. The unions met with several ministers, including the agriculture, finance and rural development officials, who pledged to forward the demands to the chief minister and to consider the waiver proposals.

During a protest outside the Chennai secretariat, more than 40 farmers were detained by police after clashes with authorities. Protesters shouted, “Why has the promised full loan waiver not been delivered?” and demanded an immediate announcement of the waiver. The government said it would hold further talks with the farmers' leaders within a week.

Both meetings and the arrests highlight the escalating tension between the state’s agricultural community and the ruling party over debt relief measures.