BJP MP Janardan Mishra apologises over remarks that farmers work for only three months

BJP MP from Rewa Janardan Mishra apologised on Wednesday after facing criticism for claiming that farmers work for only three months a year and spend the remaining nine months playing cards, consuming gutka, drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis.

The controversy erupted after a video of his speech at a Govardhan Puja programme in Madhya Pradesh's Mauganj district on Monday went viral.

In the video, Mishra is heard saying: "Today's farmer works for three months, while the remaining nine months are spent playing cards, consuming Rajshree (gutka), bottle (liquor)… and chanting 'Jai Bhole'."

His remarks drew criticism from farmer organisations and the Congress. The National Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh demanded a public apology. Some farmers also approached the police, seeking an FIR against the MP.

The organisation's Mauganj district president, Narendra Singh, said farming involved year-round work, including sowing, weeding, irrigation and harvesting. He also highlighted the challenges of protecting crops from stray cattle and arranging seeds and fertilisers.

Congress leader Rahul Raj described Mishra's remarks as the "height of a regressive mindset and shamelessness".

According to party sources, senior BJP leaders also reprimanded the MP over his comments.

In an apology video released on Wednesday, Mishra said he belonged to a farming family and understood the difficulties faced by farmers. He maintained that his speech had been taken out of context but acknowledged that his choice of words could have hurt the farming community.

"If any farmer brothers have been hurt by my statement or speech, which has been presented in a distorted manner, I apologise for that. I had no intention of insulting anyone or causing mental distress to any farmer brother," he said.

He added that he would continue to stand with farmers and work to resolve their problems.