BENGALURU: Kannada Makkala Paksha MLA from Bidar South, Ashok Kheny’s statement on farmer suicides triggered protests in many parts of the state on Friday.
Kheny told reporters on Thursday that many farmers committed suicide as they spent their loan money on gambling and cricket betting. Condemning the remark, activists of various farmers’ associations and pro-Kannada outfits protested on NICE Road in Bengaluru. A mob vandalised the toll booth on the road. Another toll plaza near Kanakapura was also damaged. Talaghattapura police rushed to the spot and took many protesters into custody.
Kheny withdraw his statement after similar incidents of violence were reported from other parts of the state as well.
Violence in Hubballi
Farmers, pro-Kannada activists and members of Mahadayi-Kalasa Banduri Horata Samanvaya Samiti ransacked a toll plaza belonging to Nandi Highway Developers Ltd at Gabbur on Friday condemning Kheny’s remarks. Raising slogans, the protesters took out a mock funeral of Kheny from Rani Chennamma Circle to the toll plaza in a vehicle. They then burnt Kheny in effigy.
Vehicular movement on the highway was blocked for around 30 minutes. Farmer leader Veeranna Malagi told reporters the MLA’s statement was not in good taste.
Another leader, Babajan Mudhol, said Kheny should resign as MLA. Farmers commit suicide due to crop loss and because they are under a lot of stress, he said. Kheny’s statement has hurt the bereaved families of farmers, he added.