The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, could be heard accusing the farmer of seeking publicity. Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy criticised Kharge’s remarks.
Published Sep 08, 2025 | 5:28 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 08, 2025 | 5:28 PM
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Synopsis: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge was caught berating a distressed farmer who had approached him over crop losses in Kalaburagi in a viral video. The farmer, whose four acres of pulses were damaged by floods caused by heavy rainfall, was told by Kharge that the losses on his own 40-acre farmland were greater. The Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha further accused the farmer of seeking publicity and told him to approach Modi and Shah for help.
A video showing All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Mallikarjun Kharge berating a distressed farmer who had approached him at his residence in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, to complain about crop damage has gone viral since Monday, 8 September.
Heavy rainfall and the overflow of the Kagina river have caused floods in the region, leaving standing crops of pulses severely damaged.
In the video, reportedly captured covertly and of unclear date, Kharge is heard asking the farmer in Kannada, “How many acres have you sown?” The farmer replies, “Four acres.”
Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, is then heard berating the farmer and accusing him of seeking publicity.
“Mine is 40 acres. Mine is worse than yours. You are coming and telling me. You can tell me but mine is worse than yours. Don’t come here just for the sake of publicity, I know about it. Green gram, black gram and pigeon peas, all have destroyed,” he says.
“You can at least sustain. We can’t sustain because my losses are huge. Go and ask Modi and Shah.”
When asked for comment, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s Communication and Media Cell president Ramesh Babu told South First that he was “planning to write a letter to Narendra Modi to give best award to HD Kumaraswamy because they are very much experts in cut and paste videos.”
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy shared the video on X on Monday and criticised Kharge’s conduct.
“I was deeply disappointed by your behavior towards the farmers. From a senior leader, I certainly did not expect such conduct. If a farmer in distress cannot approach you and share his pain, then who else should he turn to?” he asked.
“You are the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and the President of the AICC. Yet, you completely forgot these responsibilities while speaking! This does not bring honor to you.”
Respected Mallikarjun Kharge avare,
I was deeply disappointed by your behavior towards the farmers. From a senior leader, I certainly did not expect such conduct. If a farmer in distress cannot approach you and share his pain, then who else should he turn to?
You are the Leader… pic.twitter.com/buhveB84p5
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | HD Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) September 8, 2025
Kumaraswamy further alleged that Kharge’s behaviour was emblematic of the Congress.
“That display of arrogance towards a farmer who came only to express his grief was unnecessary. You too may be a toor dal farmer, but how can there be any comparison between a person like you cultivating 40 acres and a poor farmer cultivating just one or two acres? You have the capacity to bear the loss. Shouldn’t the farmer be given that same strength?
“Your conduct is proof of the traditional arrogance and ego of the Congress party.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
