Karnataka Minister Sparks Controversy with Farmers’ Drought Wish Statement
Belagavi, 25th December 2023: Shivanand Patil, Karnataka’s Sugar and Agricultural Marketing Minister, has stirred controversy with his statement suggesting that farmers wish for repeated droughts in the state to facilitate loan waivers. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has labeled the remark as an insult to the farming community, demanding Patil’s removal from the ministry.
Speaking at a program in Belagavi on Sunday, Minister Patil remarked, “The water of Krishna river is free, the current is also free. The Chief Minister also provides seeds and fertilizers. Farmers would still like to see drought again and again because their loans would be waived off. But you people should not have this kind of wish. Even if you don’t wish so, there will be a drought once in three-four years.”
As Karnataka grapples with one of its most significant droughts, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already waived the interest on medium-term loans. Minister Patil, referencing this relief effort, stated, “Some Chief Ministers have… You yourself have forgiven the loan. I don’t need to tell whether Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy, or Yediyurappa (as CM) have ever waived loans before or not.”
Highlighting the challenges faced by farmers, Patil added, “Whenever the farmers are in trouble, the government will protect them, but it is difficult to do so always.” Notably, Patil had made controversial remarks in September, stating that the increase in compensation to the relatives of deceased farmers from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh had led to a rise in farmer suicides.
State BJP President BY Vijayendra condemned Patil’s latest statement, describing it as irresponsible. He criticized the Congress government’s attitude towards farmers, emphasizing the need for Patil’s immediate removal from the ministerial post.
The controversy surrounding Minister Shivanand Patil’s remarks has reignited tensions between political parties, with the BJP accusing the Congress government of showing disrespect to the farming community.
