On Friday afternoon, the media went into a tizzy over the apparent remarks made by Agricultural minister Radha Mohan Singh. According to the media, the minister is said to have belittled the plight of farmers in the country, citing their “love-affairs” as a reason for committing suicide.A closer look at the statement reveals that Singh had merely quoted the National Crime Records Bureau report, and had cited reasons from it.In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha asking for a reason for farmer suicides, an India Today report quotes him as saying that “According to the National Crime Records Bureau, causes of (farmer) suicides include family problems, illness, drugs... dowry, love affairs and impotency.”The report further mentions that the minister did not also rule out debt as one of the reasons for farmer suicide.Here is a snapshot of the NCRB report which Singh quoted: TV news channels however, have escalated the issue, and Congress VP Rahul Gandhi was questioned on the matter while on his visit to Andhra Pradesh.Twitter went into outrage-mode in a flash too:Wow..Radha Mohan Singh reply on farmer suicide ..pathetic ..no hope from such ministers in govt..should be kicked out ASAP @PMOIndia — ASHISH ARYA (@addictiveeee) July 24, 2015it was not expected from u #RadhaMohanSingh. Pls clarify — VIRMA RAM (@virmaram) July 24, 2015Going by Radha Mohan Singh statement, we should have a love affairs ministry instead of the Agriculture ministry. #AntiFarmersBJP — Abbas Haider (@abbas_haiderr) July 24, 2015