Agriculture Minister Criticised for Remarks on Farmer Suicides
Opposition causes storm over Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh’s comment about causes of farmer suicide.
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Radha Mohan Singh’s written reply in the Parliament, regarding farmer suicide, caused a furore in the Opposition today.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said the causes of suicides by farmers due to agrarian reasons include indebtedness, crop failure, drought, socio-economic and personal issues.
However, a reference to the National Crime Record Bureau listing general causes of suicides including love affairs, barrenness and impotence, caused indignation among the Opposition leaders who dubbed the minister insensitive.
Calling him insensitive, the Opposition ministers slammed the cabinet for insensitivity.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who is in Andhra Pradesh for a visit, counselled Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask his ministers to visit the houses of farmers to “see what is going on”.
Sanjay Jha, the spokesperson of the Indian National Congress, took to Twitter to register his disapproval.
Opposition Reactions
Naresh Agrawal of the Samajwadi Party demanded an apology from the minister terming his remarks as “irresponsible”.
CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury, describing it as “ridiculous,” said that this was a tactic to divert attention from the 26% rise in distress suicides since NDA came to power.
CPI leader D Raja said the reply shows “callousness” of the government towards the issue of farmer suicide, which takes place because of the “unprecedented debt crisis” faced by them and the government should take steps to come to their relief.
JD-U leader K C Tyagi said apart from being insensitive, it was an “insult” to farmers.
He threatened to move a privilege notice against the minister for “misleading” Parliament.
(With inputs from PTI)
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