Karnataka has reported 981 farmer suicides between 2024 and mid-2025, according to official government data. Of these, 825 have been confirmed as eligible farmer suicides, while 138 were due to other causes. The state government has so far given compensation to 807 families. In 18 cases, compensation is still pending.
Among all districts, Haveri reported the highest number of farmer suicides at 128. Mysuru recorded 73, Dharwad 72, and Belagavi 71. In contrast, no farmer suicides were reported from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Udupi, and Kolar.
BJP state president BY Vijayendra blamed the Congress government for the rising distress among farmers. “The panic among farmers has been caused by the negligence of the Congress government. Since the Congress came to power, there has been no improvement in the farming sector,” he said.
He said that after the Congress came to power, schemes that benefited farmers were stopped. He pointed to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and claimed that the previous BJP government had added Rs 4,000 on top of the central assistance, helping over 52 lakh farmers.
Vijayendra also pointed out that the Congress government discontinued the Raitha Vidyanidhi scheme. “Basavaraj Bommai introduced the Raitha Vidyanidhi scheme, which supported farmers’ children in pursuing higher education. Even that scheme has now been discontinued,” he said. “This clearly shows that the Siddaramaiah government has let down the farmers of Karnataka.”
Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad responded to BJP’s claims, saying, “981 farmers have died by suicide. BJP and Vijayendra are misleading the public on this issue.” He added, “The State Government has already written to the Central Government regarding the matter. And shortage of pesticides.”
He also criticised the Centre’s role. “PM Modi had promised an increase in the MSP, but no development has taken place in that regard,” he said. “Diesel prices remain high, additional taxes are high. To support people and farmers, the State Government is providing subsidies to support farmers. The Central Government should stop imposing additional taxes.”
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