Haryana minister Dalal makes fun of farmers’ death, apologises later

Agriculture Minister of Haryana, JP Dalal said that the farmers who died in the protest over past few months “would have died even if they were at home”. However, when media and online janta slammed him for the statements, he apologized claiming that the meaning of his words were twisted.

Asked about “death of around 200 farmers” in the protests, Mr Dalal said, “Wouldn’t they have died if they were at home? Had they been at their homes, they would have died there also. Out of one to two lakh, do 200 people not die in six months?” he asked, triggering laughter and joining in with a smile. Someone is dying of a heart attack and someone after falling ill… They died of their own will. I have my deepest sympathies for them.”

When a reporter asked, “The PM expresses his grief when 10 people die in an accident,” the minister responded saying, “But these farmers did not die in any accident!”

After receiving backlash, Mr Dalal said, “If anybody is hurt by it, I tender my apology,” adding he continues to work for farmers’ welfare.