Karnataka Agriculture minister calls farmer committing suicide 'cowards'; won't apologise

Karnataka Agriculture Minister BC Patil sparked controversy on Thursday after he claimed that farmers who committed suicide were cowards and that true farmer would take such a step. Speaking to bamboo growers at Ponnampet in Kodagu district, BC Patil was explaining profits of agriculture business during which he claimed that farmers who took extreme step of taking ir lives were cowards and that y did t understand perks of agrarian sector. Karnataka Agriculture Minister went on to clarify later that he never called farmers as cowards and that he was referring to those who committed suicide.  

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BC Patil sparks controversy

Speaking to farmers at Ponnampet, BC Patil was giving an anecdote of his interaction with a farmer woman who wore 'nice' gold bangles & said that woman purchased bangles after toiling as a farmer for 35 years. He went on cite ly's example as a reason for farmers to t commit suicide and stressed that farmers who couldn't look after ir families were cowards and that y should 'live and achieve'. 

"This ly was wearing nice gold bangles. I asked her, where did bangles come from? You look like you have a lot of money. Do you kw what she said? She said 'this soil, I have worked hard in this soil for 35 years.' 'This mor gave me gold,' she said. Doesn't that make you happy? Today farmers who are committing suicide- this is response to m. Farmers who commit suicide are cowards. A coward who cant look after his wife and children commits suicide. He should live and achieve. true farmer should commit suicide. That ly is an example. If a woman can achieve so much, why can't ors?", BC Patil said while dressing farmers at Ponnampet on Thursday. 

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'Never said farmers are cowards': Patil

However, BC Patil later clarified that his 'cowards' remark was directed at those who committed suicide, and t farmers. Calling farmers backbone of nation, state Agriculture Minister said that it was government's job to look after farmers and ensure that y do t take such drastic steps. He also cited history to reiterate his claim that those who committed suicide were cowards. Furr, Patil also went on to say that he spoke about farmers as he held respective portfolio and ruled out possibility of apologizing for his remarks. minister said that it was intention of BJP-led state government to help farmers le good lives and that government was working towards it. 

"I reiterate, I said whoever commits suicide is a coward. I never said that farmers are cowards. Farmers are backbone of nation.  government has to look after farmers and ensure y don't commit suicide. History says that committing suicide is cowardice. t just farmers whoever commits suicide is a coward. Being agriculture minister, I spoke about farmers. I have said farmers shouldn't commit suicide refore re is question of apology. I have said when we have fallen we have to swim and win, is it wrong. Farmers have to live a good life that's our intention, for that we are doing our work", BC Patil clarified on his initial statement speaking to reporters later on Thursday. 

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Congress condemns Karnataka Agriculture Minister's remarks

Congress Karnataka unit spokesperson V S Ugrappa condemned Minister's statement, saying he has shown disrespect to farming community. "It's a disrespect to farmers. He should apologise for it," Ugrappa told PTI. He said Minister should have gone into subject to find why some farmers commit suicide. " farmer wishes to end life. re are many reasons such as floods and droughts, which have t been understood and solved yet. Inste of understanding gravity of problem, Minister gives such an irresponsible statement," Ugrappa said.

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