Overview

• Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate faced backlash after claiming farmers misuse funds from agricultural schemes on personal expenses like weddings and deliberately default on loans.
• Kokate's remarks went viral on social media, prompting criticism from opposition leaders, farmer groups, and the public for being insensitive and dismissive of farmer struggles.
• In response to the uproar, Kokate issued a public apology, stating that his comments were unintentional and misunderstood, and apologised for any hurt caused to farmers.
• The Maharashtra government has pledged to apologise to farmers, but opposition leaders and farmer groups continue to demand Kokate's removal from the cabinet.
• This incident follows a history of controversial statements by Kokate, including comparing farmers to beggars, further straining relations between the government and the agricultural community.