Congress workers protest at MP Darshan Singh Choudhary's residence in Narmadapuram over remark on farmers

Congress workers on Friday gheraoed the bungalow of Lok Sabha MP Darshan Singh Choudhary in Narmadapuram. The protest was against an allegedly objectionable remark about farmers by BJP MP Janardan Mishra.

During the protest at around 2:30 pm, some workers climbed the barricades and tried to get inside the bungalow. Police pulled them down from the barricades and pushed them back. A heavy police force was deployed in front of the bungalow, and the road had been closed with barricades.

Congress leaders called the remark an insult to farmers and demanded that an FIR be registered against Janardan Mishra.

The controversy began on November 9, when Mishra made the remark about farmers. He had said that farmers work hard for three months in farming, while for the other nine months they indulge in cards, Rajshri, bottle, chongi and "Jai Bhole". Since the remark, the Congress has been protesting across the state. The gherao in Narmadapuram on Friday was part of the same series of protests.

Workers reached the MP's bungalow led by Kisan Congress district president Vijay Choudhary. District president Shivkant Pandey, former MLA Girijashankar Sharma and office-bearers and workers of various Congress organisations took part in the protest. Workers raised slogans in front of the bungalow.

District Congress president Shivkant Pandey said the farmer feeds the country by working day and night, so it is wrong to question his hard work and dedication. He condemned Mishra's remark and raised slogans against him.

Former MLA Girijashankar Sharma said the soul of the country lives in its farmers. According to him, the statement made by BJP MP Janardan Mishra about farmers is unbecoming and insulting. He said the Congress would oppose those who insult farmers.

Sharma also questioned the police action. He said FIRs are registered against Congress workers over petty matters, whereas an FIR should also be registered against the MP over this controversial remark on farmers.