Maharashtra government runs for cover after Sena MLA's insensitive remarks on farmers

Mumbai: At a time when Maharashtra is going through a drought that has forced many farmers to take desperate measures, an insensitive comment by a Shiv Sena MLA has sent the government and its allies running for cover. Even as their crops are wilting, debts mounting and some farmers resorting to even killing themselves in desperation, Shiv Sena legislator Sanjay Gaikwad said farmers who kill themselves should not be cremated, but their bodies be left to be eaten by animals as a deterrent to prevent them from killing themselves.

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"People should boycott the funerals of those who kill themselves. I have said in the past too that only when people realise that their bodies may be eaten by animals and understand what would happen to their remains will they stop killing themselves," Gaikwad said. He said farmers should approach others for help before taking their lives. "If farmers have a problem, they can write to the government seeking help. They can write to MLA or MP telling their difficulties and everyone would help."


Control them: BJP to Shinde

Condemning Gaikwad, BJP MLC Pravin Darekar said: "I think Shinde should control these people, who talk too much. They need to be sensitive. The government has empathy towards farmers who are facing drought. We have given loan waivers and are working to alleviate their problems. But such comments are like putting salt on their wounds."