Hours after making a controversial statement on farmers deaths Haryana agriculture minister said that his statement has been “misinterpreted” and they “twisted” on social media.
After Mr Dalal’s remarks on deaths of farmers during the protest drew sharp criticism from the opposition and people on social media over his “insensitive” opinion, the minister has taken a U-turn.
He said "wrong meaning" was given to his statements.
"If anybody is hurt by it, I tender my apology," he said, adding he would continue to work for farmers' welfare. He said it is painful if anyone dies.
Earlier on Saturday, JP Dalal had while responding to a media reporter’s query on over 200 deaths of farmers during the protest against the farm laws, responded saying that they would have died even if they had stayed back home.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed Dalal over his remarks and said an “insensitive” person can only say such a thing. Haryana Congress chief Kumari Selja too hit out at Dalal for his statement and said, “This reaction and laughter of the Haryana agriculture minister on the sacrifice of our farmer brothers are very sad,” she said in a tweet.
Many demanded his resignation from the Haryana cabinet also.
What did Dalal say?
"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, laughing and smiling.
Mr Dalal went on giggling and said, "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.”
Thousands of farmers especially from Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh have been protesting at several border points of Delhi, demanding a complete repeal of the three farm laws, facing police, tear gas shells, rain and cold.
Many died due to cold climate, heart attack while some committed suicide.