Bhoot, pret, upari saya: MP minister clarifies on reasons behind farmers` suicide

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh, who had blamed 'ghosts' for farmer suicides in the state, has now clarified his remarks.

He said: “The government never said 'ghosts' are the reason for farmer suicides. This is what victims' families claim.”

In shocking remarks, Singh had, in a written reply in the state Assembly on Wednesday, listed 'ghosts' among the reasons which were driving farmers to suicides.

“Bhoot, pret, upari saya” (apparitions), not crop loss, were forcing farmers to take the extreme step, he said.

Clarifying, the minister said today that the “written reply to the MLA was based on police information and on statements made by the relatives of the deceased farmers”.

The remarks caused uproar in the Assembly with the main opposition Congress seeking clarification on whether the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government believed in superstition.

“In some rural pockets, a ritual prevails wherein people are freed of influence of spirits,” Singh had later said, seeking to clarify his remarks.