Commenting on the controversial statement of Textile Minister Shivanand Patil recently that has drawn flak from Opposition and farmers’ groups, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that one had to be not only careful when speaking on farmers but should also be respectful.
“To be careful and respectful should be the code always. Farmers should not be insulted by loose talks,” the Chief Minister said in a social media post on Tuesday. “I am sure that Mr. Patil, who comes from a farmers family, did not intend to insult farmers. He must have said a few things taking his proximity with farmers around him for granted,” he said, adding that the statement was in any case unacceptable.
Mr. Patil had said that farmers wish for repeated droughts that could result in loan waiver, drawing sharp criticism from the Opposition BJP.
