3 weeks ago
Telangana CM to perform Varuna Yagam amid farm distress criticism
In the Indian state of Telangana, the state's leader, A Revanth Reddy, plans to hold a special prayer called a Varuna Yagam.
The prayer will happen on August 10 on the banks of a big dam called Nagarjuna Sagar.
People hold this prayer to ask for good rain so farmers can grow healthy crops.
This year, the rainy season started badly, with 61% less rain than usual in June.
The rains improved in July, coming very close to the normal amount.
Some other political parties, like the BRS and the BJP, say the prayer is not enough.
They say farmers need real help, like free electricity, fertilisers, money for crops and insurance.
Farmer groups say they are not against the prayer, but they want their farm lands back and better welfare schemes.
So everyone hopes the prayer brings rain, but many also want the government to do more practical work for farmers.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will perform a Varuna Yagam on August 10 on the banks of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam to seek bountiful rains.
The date was set by priests, vedic scholars and astrologers of the Yadagirigutta temple, and Reddy will take part in a purnahuti concluding ceremony.
The monsoon began in June with a 61% rainfall deficit; July rainfall of 224.3mm against a normal 227.6mm left a marginal 1% monthly deficit, with a cumulative 5% deficit for the season.
BRS and BJP have criticised the Congress government over farm distress, citing free power, fertiliser availability, delays in schemes like Rythu Bharosa and crop-loan waivers.
Farmers' group Rythu Swarajya Vedika said the yagam is not a substitute for welfare measures and demanded the return of farm lands acquired for township projects.
- Who
- Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, with opposition parties BJP and BRS and farmers' groups responding.
- What
- A Varuna Yagam, a Hindu rain-seeking ritual, with special prayers for inflows into the Krishna and Godavari rivers, tanks, agriculture and livestock.
- Where
- On the banks of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Telangana.
- When
- August 10, with the date set by priests, vedic scholars and astrologers of the Yadagirigutta temple.
- Why
- To seek bountiful rains in Telangana amid a monsoon that began with a 61% rainfall deficit and ongoing criticism over farm distress.
Congress Government
BJP & BRS Opposition
Religious ritual vs. farmer welfare
Congress Government
The yagam is held to seek bountiful rains, good inflows into the Krishna and Godavari rivers and the thriving of agriculture and livestock.
BJP & BRS Opposition
Opposition parties and farmer groups call it a publicity stunt intended to divert attention from farm distress, unpaid financial assistance and land acquisition issues.
Farmers' Power Distribution Company
Congress Government
The government has moved to create a separate power distribution company for farmers.
BJP & BRS Opposition
BRS strongly opposes the company, claiming it could threaten the ongoing 24-hour free electricity supply to the agriculture sector.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana implementation
Congress Government
The state has not implemented the central crop insurance scheme.
BJP & BRS Opposition
The BJP Kisan Morcha demands its implementation, saying the state's hesitation leaves farmers vulnerable to natural calamities.
Key facts
- Event
- Varuna Yagam (rain-seeking ritual)
- Chief Minister
- A Revanth Reddy (Telangana)
- Venue
- Banks of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
- Date
- August 10
- June rainfall deficit
- 61%
- July rainfall
- 224.3mm vs normal 227.6mm (1% monthly deficit)
- Cumulative monsoon deficit
- 5%
- Previous similar yagams
- Held by K Chandrashekar Rao in 2015, 2019 and 2023
Quotes
CMO release
Official statement from the Telangana Chief Minister's Office
“Here is a government elected for its so‑called progressive views taking to publicity stunts like yagams instead of creating a clear‑cut progress report for farmers’ welfare in the state. Farmers organisations have not asked the government to hold a yagam, but to return our farm lands acquired for development of special economic zones.”
indianexpress.com
“Special prayers will be offered with a resolution that the Krishna and Godavari rivers and local tanks receive good inflows, and agriculture and livestock thrive in the season.”
indianexpress.com
BRS leader
Representative of Bharat Rashtra Samithi party
“We have been raising the concerns of farmers before the Congress government. From the Congress government’s apathy to clear financial assistance for farmers to possible disruption of free power for farmers, there are several issues plaguing the agriculture sector.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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