Congress protests at Bhopal MP's residence over Rewa MP's remark on farmers despite apology

Congress is holding a protest in Bhopal on Friday against a remark on farmers by Rewa BJP MP Janardan Mishra. Workers of the district Congress committee, Bhopal city Congress and Kisan Congress are heading to gherao the residence of the Bhopal MP.

The protesting Congress workers call the MP's statement an insult to farmers. They will submit a memorandum addressed to the MP and demand action in the matter. Congress has planned to gather at the state Congress office in Shivaji Nagar at 2:15 pm. From there, workers will march in a rally to the Bhopal MP's residence, F-102/25, Shivaji Nagar.

The controversy began on November 9 at Rakri village in Mauganj district, where Mishra made the remark at a Govardhan Puja event. He had said that farmers farm for three months of the year, while for the other nine months they play cards, eat Rajshree (a brand of gutka) and drink liquor. When a video of the remark surfaced, farmers' organisations and Congress began protesting.

In the video, the MP also said that farmers today are not what they used to be and have grown fond of comfort. According to him, farmers work hard in the fields for only three months a year and spend the other nine months on cards, Rajshree, bottle, chongi and offering "Jai Bhole".

As the row grew, Mishra released a video on November 11 in which he explained himself and apologised. He said some of his words had hurt his farmer brothers and that insulting farmers was not his intention. The MP also said he comes from a farming family himself and understands farmers' problems.

State Congress president Jitu Patwari had also targeted the BJP and Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav over the matter. Patwari had said farmers were struggling with debt and economic difficulties, and that promises of better prices for wheat, paddy and soybean had not been kept. He had said that, instead of questioning farmers' hard work and lifestyle, the government should solve their problems. He had also objected to the remark describing farmers as addicts.

Congress is demanding action against the MP, calling his statement an insult to farmers. Kisan Congress had earlier demanded that an FIR be registered against him and that he be expelled from the BJP. Despite the MP's apology, Congress's protest continues, and the Bhopal MP's residence is now being gheraoed and a memorandum submitted.