Karnataka Agri Min BC Patil confronts protesting farmers from Mysuru

A group of protesting farmers surrounded Karnataka Agriculture Minister BC Patil in Mysuru on Wednesday in response to the minister’s comments attributing farmer suicides to “weakness of mind” and not government policy. “If you have any responsibility, take care of the functioning of the government. What does the government mean by saying that we are looking into the issue?” said farmer Basavaraju, directing his anger at BC Patil.

To this, BC Patil asked the farmer his name and said, “Every department has its own work. You can’t say that.” The farmer replied, “Why shouldn’t we talk? You are a minister and you should call us and talk to us,” Basavaraju added.

The exchange of words took place at the Jaladarshini campus in Mysuru after BC Patil’s comments on farmer suicides on Tuesday. He said farmer suicides are not related to government policies and also said farmers who commit suicide are cowards. He described momentary weakness as a reason for suicides and suggested that “when we fall into the water, we have to swim and win”.

He added that other initiatives include the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme adopted by Karnataka to highlight one local product in each district that will help farmers sell their produce.

However, his comments drew criticism from farmers and Basavarju, a representative of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha in Hoskote, led a group of farmers to confront BC Patil.

Though Patil tried to defuse tension by talking to farmers, emotions reached a fever pitch when Basavaraju pointed out that the ministers had not met and spoken to the farmers protesting in New Delhi for almost two months.