Telangana official suspended for insulting remarks to farmer

A revenue official in the Gajwel mandal of Siddipet district, Telangana, has been suspended following the viral spread of a video showing him making derogatory remarks toward a farmer. The official, Tehsildar Chittampalli Swamy, was suspended by Siddipet District Collector K. Haimavathi after a preliminary inquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer found his behavior inappropriate.

In the footage, Swamy is heard asking a farmer named Yesu, “Are you still alive? Have you not consumed pesticides yet?” when the farmer attempted to discuss a land dispute. When the farmer questioned if the official found his plight amusing, Swamy reportedly replied, “Yes, absolutely. Of course, I did.”

The dispute involved compensation for agricultural land being acquired for the Regional Ring Road (RRR) project. Swamy stated that the compensation could not be released due to an ongoing family dispute regarding the land. While some reports suggest the incident occurred recently, another video surfaced where the farmer claimed the encounter took place five to six months ago, noting that the land issue has since been settled.

Political figures, including BRS working president KT Rama Rao, have condemned the official’s conduct as “shameful and absolutely unacceptable.” Swamy has been ordered not to leave his headquarters without prior permission.