All farmers suicides are not due to debts: D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Jul 26: Water resources and medical education minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday stirred a controversy when he claimed several farmer suicides in the state could be due to personal reasons.

“If a farmer commits suicide it is not necessarily because he was in debt,” Shivakumar said. “There can be various reasons for a farmer to commit suicide.” His comments come a day after BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa alleged that the state government has been apathetic towards the increasing number of farmer suicides in the state.

Shivakumar also cited an example to support his statement.

“Not all accidents happen because of the driver’s fault,” he said. “Some happen also because of the fault of the driver of the other vehicle.” He said the media should stop reporting farmer suicides as it only encourages more farmers to take extreme step.

His remarks sparked instant criticism from the BJP and farmer organisations, which said it exposed the ruling party’s “insensitivity” towards farmers’ plight. “How can a minister, who is the custodian of farmers’ issues make such an insensitive statement?” questioned a BJP member. “Officials or NGOs making such remarks is acceptable but not a minister.”

Mahadayi dispute

The state government is expecting a favourable verdict from the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal which it is expected to deliver its decision next month, Shivakumar said. “The government has given all the documents including photographs on the amount of water used by Goa to the tribunal to seek justice,” Shivakumar said.

The minister was speaking in the wake of a team of officials from Goa visiting Karnataka’s Kanakumbi village, located in the Malaprabha basin adjoining the state’s border, and alleging that Karnataka was already diverting and using Mahadayi water.

Rubbishing the charges, Shivakumar said Karnataka has not been utilising the water from Mahadayi and sought evidence from Goa.