Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Gajwel Tahsildar Suspended After Pesticide Remark to Farmer
Farmer Yesu went to a government office in Gajwel to ask about a land problem.
A video showed an official asking him why he had not taken pesticide and whether he was still alive.
The video spread online and many people criticized the official’s words.
The land issue was connected to compensation for land linked to a road project.
The official had said a family disagreement about dividing the land had delayed the process.
The district collector suspended the official after an initial inquiry found his behaviour inappropriate.
Yesu later said the incident had happened four or five months earlier, the land dispute was settled, and the official was not at fault.
BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao also condemned the remark and called for action.
A viral video showed Gajwel Tahsildar PH Swami making a pesticide-related remark to farmer Yesu during an office visit.
Yesu had sought help with a land issue involving compensation linked to the Regional Ring Road project.
District Collector K. Hymavathi suspended Swami after a preliminary inquiry found his behaviour inappropriate.
Yesu later said the incident happened four or five months earlier, that the land dispute had been resolved, and that the official was not at fault.
BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao condemned the remark and called for action, while some social media users said the behaviour remained concerning regardless of when it occurred.
- Who
- Gajwel Tahsildar PH Swami, farmer Yesu, District Collector K. Hymavathi, and BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao.
- What
- Swami was suspended after a preliminary inquiry into a video showing him making a pesticide-related remark to Yesu.
- When
- The incident date is not specified; Yesu said it happened four or five months before his follow-up video.
- Where
- The Gajwel Tahsildar's office in Gajwel, Siddipet district, Telangana.
- Why
- Yesu had approached the office over a land issue and compensation linked to the Regional Ring Road; Swami said a family partition dispute had prevented acquisition and payment.
Official and farmer accounts
Criticism and calls for accountability
Land grievance and its resolution
Official and farmer accounts
Swami said a family partition dispute had prevented the land from being acquired and compensation released. Yesu later said the dispute had been resolved.
Criticism and calls for accountability
Rama Rao said officials should resolve farmers' problems rather than demean them; critics said the behaviour remained concerning even if the dispute was settled.
The official's conduct
Official and farmer accounts
Yesu later said Swami was not at fault and said the video showed an incident from four or five months earlier.
Criticism and calls for accountability
The district inquiry found Swami's behaviour inappropriate, leading to his suspension. Rama Rao condemned the remark and called for action.
- Farmer
- Yesu, from Maktha Masanpally village in Gajwel mandal
- Official
- Gajwel Tahsildar PH Swami, also referred to as Swamy
- Suspension
- District Collector K. Hymavathi ordered the suspension after a preliminary inquiry
- Land issue
- Compensation connected to agricultural land linked to the Regional Ring Road project
- Official's explanation
- Swami said a family dispute over land partition had prevented acquisition and compensation release
- Farmer's later account
- Yesu said the incident was four or five months old, the dispute was resolved, and Swami was not at fault
- Political response
- K. T. Rama Rao condemned the remark and urged Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju to respond and take action
