New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Rewa Janardan Mishra reportedly made disparaging remarks about the country’s farmers at an event in Madhya Pradesh earlier this week, saying that farmers work for only three months a year and spend the rest of their time drinking and playing cards.The shocking remarks, allegedly made at a Gowardhan pooja event in Mauganj on Monday (November 9), went viral on social media and have drawn criticism from various quarters.“Today’s farmer works for three months, while the remaining nine months are spent playing cards, consuming Rajshree (gutka), bottle (liquor)… and chanting ‘Jai Bhole’,” Mishra can be heard saying in a video said to be from the event.Mishra’s comments were criticised by farmers’ organisations and the Congress.Indian Parliament runs for hardly 65 days in a whole year, and for the remaining 10 months….BJP MPs like Janardan Mishra enjoy free Delhi bungalows, free business-class flights, and lifelong pensions…A politician who lives on taxpayer money for 10 months without work is standing on stage and telling the country that farmers only work for 3 months.— Bayanbaazi (@Bayan__baazi) November 10, 2026‘Height of regressive mindset’The National Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (NKMM) has demanded a public apology from Mishra while some farmers have approached the police, seeking an FIR against the BJP MP, the Indian Express reported.NKMM Mauganj district president, Narendra Singh, also questioned Mishra on his dim view of agricultural labour. He said that farmers managed sowing, weeding, irrigation and harvesting, as well as preparations for the next crop, rebutting Mishra’s three-month claim. Singh also spoke about other challenges faced by farmers including protecting crops from stray cattle and arranging fertilisers and seeds, the Indian Express reported.Calling Mishra’s remarks the “height of a regressive mindset and shamelessness” Congress leader Rahul Raj asked how a public representative could make such “sweeping remarks”.According to anonymous BJP sources cited by the paper, senior leaders pulled up Mishra over the comments.Mishra on Wedneday issued an apology video saying that he had meant to discuss farmers’ problems at the event and that he was familiar with the challenges faced by them. He claimed that the clip had been taken out of context.“I’m also from a farming family. I am well acquainted with the difficulties of farming, the problems of farmers and their requirements, and how farmers can be made more prosperous. I understand their family problems and economic difficulties and how villages can be developed in a better environment,” Mishra said.“If any farmer brothers have been hurt by my statement or speech, which has been presented in a distorted manner, I apologise for that. I had no intention of insulting anyone or causing mental distress to any farmer brother,” he added.Mishra’s comments come amid renewed focus on farmers’ rights ahead of assembly elections scheduled in several states in 2027.