Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy Calls Protesting Farmers ‘Goondas’ Who Are ‘Anti-Social Elements’

After Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy cancelled his scheduled meeting with the sugarcane farmers of Belagavi, trucks loaded with sugarcane entered the premises of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, The New Indian Express has reported. Kumaraswamy had asked the farmers come to Bengaluru and the farmers were not happy with the chief minister’s response.

Farmers have been demanding for pending arrears to be cleared and also an announcement for the purchase prices of sugarcane. Provoked by the action of farmers, the CM described them as ‘goondas’ (ruffians) who defamed their own community. Furthermore, he said that farmers are doing this for political benefits and are anti-social elements.

The New Indian Express quoted him as saying, “My farmers are peace-loving and have great respect towards elected representatives. But the protesters are attempting to break the gates of Suvarna Soudha. They are not farmers but goondas who are disrespecting farmers. My government wants to give benefits to farmers. Should I not take action when you are trying to break Suvarna Soudha?”

He added that the problem had existed for over four years, and he had been in office for just five months. Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda took a jibe at BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa by saying that Kumaraswamy did not order a firing against the farmers. His reference was towards B S Yeddyrappa’s government being responsible for farmer’s deaths due to firing at a protest.

His brother and minister Revanna said that the chief minister does not have a note printing machine with him and that the union government is equally responsible for not being supportive.