BJP MLA sparks controversy, says only fake farmers commit suicide

Raking up a controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rameshwar Sharma on Friday made a derogatory statement over farmers' suicide, saying that the one who commits suicide is not the real farmer.

Responding to an increasing number of suicides being committed by farmers, the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Madhya Pradesh said I have never seen a real farmer die.

"I have seen many rich people die but I have never seen any real farmer die. A true farmer only struggles. The ones who die are those who feed on subsidy in the name of agriculture," said the politician.

He further stated that the profession of agriculture has been maligned by businessmen and politicians.

The statements were made at a time when the agenda of farmer welfare is being capitalized upon by both Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the ongoing assembly elections in the politically crucial state of Uttar Pradesh.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly stated in his speeches that BJP has not been able to fulfill its promise of waving off farmer loans in UP, which is the primary reason for an increasing number of suicides being committed by farmers.