Slamming Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's reply in Parliament on farmers' suicide, Deve Gowda said it was the worst statement made by the agriculture minister.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda on Monday began a hunger strike in New Delhi demanding discussion in Parliament on the farmers' suicide in the country.
Flanked by party MPs, MLAs, and Samajwadi Party supporters at Jantar Mantar, the Janata Dal-Secular leader said that his hunger strike will continue till a discussion takes place on the issue of farmers' suicide in Parliament.
Asked about Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh's reply in Parliament on farmers' suicide, he said it was the worst statement made by the agriculture minister.
"It is one of the worst statements made by the agriculture minister. It is unbecoming of the agriculture minister at the national level. I am so sorry, how Prime Minister Narendra Modi tolerated this type of statement," Gowda said adding that it should be condemned.
Stressing that it is the beginning of a struggle, he expressed concern over the death of thousands of farmers in the country.
"In particular, 16 farmers are committing suicide in Karnataka everyday. Even today nine farmers died," Gowda said.
Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury, Janata Dal-United Sharad Yadav, CPI leader D Raja have extended their support to the hunger strike.
