Karnataka Minister's "Farmers Pray For Drought" Remark Triggers Massive Outrage

A Karnataka minister is at the centre of a controversy for an insensitive remark that farmers "wish for drought year after year so that their loans get waived". Addressing a gathering, state Sugarcane Development Minister Shivanand Patil said, "Krishna (river) water is free, electricity is also free. Several Chief Ministers have given free seeds and manure. The farmers have only one wish in their mind -- there should be drought year after year so that their loans get waived." Hitting out at the Congress government, Karnataka BJP said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's cabinet is "full of fools". The BJP added in a post on X that the "anti-farmer government" is mocking and humiliating farmers.