The Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker expressed regret after his comments regarding the lifestyle of farmers went viral on social media.
Rewa Member of Parliament (MP) Janardan Mishra apologised on Thursday for making inappropriate comments about farmers during a Govardhan Puja event in his constituency. According to ANI, Mishra stated that his remarks were inappropriate and expressed regret for saying them.
The controversy began on Monday when a video of Mishra addressing an event in Mauganj went viral. In the footage, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP claimed that farmers only engage in agricultural work for three months of the year, while spending the rest of the time playing cards and consuming substances like liquor and tobacco.
Mishra defended his stance by saying he was addressing the issue of substance abuse, noting that 90 per cent of families in villages have been affected by addiction. He also claimed his remarks were intended to encourage dairy production and cattle rearing as additional income sources.
Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari accused the BJP of being traditionally anti-farmer, alleging that leaders only remember farmers when seeking votes. The Congress leader questioned the purpose of the state government's 'Kisan Kalyan Varsh' initiative while an MP allegedly insulted the community.
Other leaders, including Madhya Pradesh Kisan Congress president Dharmendra Singh Chouhan, demanded an FIR, Mishra's resignation, and his expulsion from the BJP. Chouhan noted that protests and effigy burnings have been held across the state in response to the comments.
