Madhya Pradesh: A member of Bharatiya Janata Party from Reva, Janardan Mishra has made some demeaning comments about the farmers of the country. It was reported that he stated, farmers only work for three months and spend the remaining months drinking and playing cards. The incident happened on Monday (November 09), in Madhya Pradesh at a Gowardhan pooja event. Following which, the video of it went viral on social media and garnered criticisms.
In the video he can be heard saying, “Today’s farmer works for three months, while the remaining nine months are spent playing cards, consuming Rajshree (gutka), bottle (liquor) and chanting ‘Jai Bhole’."
According to the Indian Express, Farmers organisations and Congress criticized the comments of the BJP leader. A public apology was demanded by the National Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (NKMM) whereas few farmers have reached out to the police seeking a FIR against the leader.
Narendra Singh, District president of NKMM in Mauganj also criticised the BJP MP saying that farmers manage sowing, weeding, irrigation and harvesting along with the preparations for the next year.
On Wednesday(November 11), Mishra apologised through a video saying that his words were taken out of context and that he only wanted to address the farmers' issues. He added, “I am also from a farmer's family. And I know the problems faced by them, their requirements and how they can be made more prosperous. If any farmer has been hurt by my statements, which has been presented in a twisted way and I apologise for it”. Further saying that he did not mean to cause hurt or mental stress to any farmer brother.
Congress leader Rahul Raj, also called out Mishra’s remarks saying “height of regressive mindset and shamelessness” and said how can a public representative use such works or make such remarks.
(With inputs from media reports)