India, April 7 -- A day after accusing farmers in the state of deliberately defaulting on crop loans in the hope of getting a farm loan waiver, Maharashtra agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate on Sunday tendered an apology for hurting their feelings.

"Yesterday, I unintentionally and jokingly said something. If that has hurt the honour and feelings of the Maharashtra farmers, I tender my apology to them," Kokate said on the sidelines of his visit to the Kalaram temple in Nashik.

The comments were made in a light mood and that too to a friend, Kokate claimed after a video with the remarks went viral, drawing sharp criticism from farmers groups as well as opposition parties.

On Saturday, while interacting with farmers with farmers affect...