'If farmers in Kerala do not cultivate, nothing will happen, rice will come from Tamil Nadu'; Minister Saji Cherian with controversial remarks

ALAPPUZHA: Minister Saji Cherian has stirred controversy with remarks against farmers in Kerala. Cherian stated that if Kerala farmers don't cultivate, nothing will happen and the state will rely on rice from Tamil Nadu. Minister made the controversial remark at a public event attended by Agriculture Minister P Prasad.

He made these comments during the inauguration of Bund Road and fields development in Mannar Chennithala Panchayat, responding to farmers threatening to stop cultivation if work on the Irumbanam canal doesn't commence. Saji Cherian's comment was in response to this.

His statement drew criticism from various farmers' organizations, who deemed it inappropriate for a minister. They demand a retraction and an apology. This controversy emerged amidst discussions on a farmer's suicide in Alappuzha due to debt.

This isn't Cherian's first controversy; he lost his ministerial berth earlier for unconstitutional remarks about the Indian Constitution, calling it a tool for robbing people. Despite his return to the ministerial post, his recent comments have reignited tensions.