Karnataka minister tells farmer to die, audio goes viral

A phone conversation between Karnataka's Food and Civil Supplies Minister Umesh Katti and a farmer, during which the minister asks the latter to "die", has gone viral on social media.

Gadag (Karnataka): A phone conversation between Karnataka's Food and Civil Supplies Minister Umesh Katti and a farmer, during which the minister asks the latter to "die", has gone viral on social media.

Ishwar Arya, a farmer from Gadag's Kurtakoti village calls up the minister asking why the government has reduced the supply of rice grains to 2 kg a month under the Public Distribution System. To this, Katti replies that in addition to 2 kg rice, the government is also giving 3 kg ragi to people in South Karnataka and 3 kg jowar to those in North Karnataka.

Not convinced with the minister's answer, Arya says that the supply is inadequate to run the family for an entire month. He says lockdown and irregular income has made lives difficult. Katti says considering the effects of the pandemic and lockdown, the Central government will provide 5 kg of food grains for the next two months.

When Arya asks Katti whether he should starve until then or die, the minister tells him to die. "It is better you die. Rather, do not sell the rice (in black market)," Katti is heard saying before dropping the call.

Netizens have slammed the minister for his "insensitive" remarks.

KPCC president DK Shivakumar demanded Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to sack Katti from his post.

In a series of tweets, former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, too, demanded the ouster of Katti.

"Such a response from the food and civil supplies minister, who ideally should have been a pillar of support to the grief-stricken people in times of a pandemic, is disturbing. The minister's reply asking a person in need to die is inhuman," he tweeted.

"I strongly oppose the minister's statement. I demand the chief minister to kick him out of the cabinet," he wrote.

Katti responds

Katti, for his part, said he did not mean what he said. "I have the responsibility to ensure food to everyone," he said.

CM regrets
After the audio went viral, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa apologized on behalf of his colleague. He said his governmment will provide food grains to all ration card beneficiaries.