Chennai

Farmers in Tamil Nadu are organizing large protests against the Tamil Nadu Land Consolidation (for Special Projects) Act, 2023, which they believe threatens agriculture. The Act allows the government to allocate large tracts of land for special projects, including water bodies, to private corporations, a move farmers see as harmful.

P.R. Pandian, leader of the All Farmers Organisation Coordination Committee, criticized the Act, arguing it would enable corporates to seize lakes and ponds, which are vital for farming. Pandian warned that if the government does not repeal the law, the DMK could face backlash in the 2026 Assembly elections. Along with other farmer leaders, he plans to lead large-scale protests.

The Act simplifies the process of consolidating land for projects, including exchanges involving water bodies, but farmers are concerned it bypasses local consent, unlike the 2013 land acquisition law, which required 80% local approval. The new law allows land acquisition without this approval, sparking strong opposition.

Currently, protests are ongoing against the proposed airport at Parandur near Chennai, which would impact over 13 water bodies and 1,386 hectares of agricultural land. Villagers in Kancheepuram are also resisting a survey for the airport, with more than 80% opposing the project. Activists and farmer groups have strongly condemned the Act, calling it detrimental to rural communities.