India
The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday accused the Delhi Police of being responsible for the death of farmer Gajendra Singh, who had committed suicide by hanging himself during a rally in the national capital, announcing a monetary compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the latter’s family.
Updated : Apr 24, 2015, 12:38 AM IST
The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday accused the Delhi Police of being responsible for the death of farmer Gajendra Singh, who had committed suicide by hanging himself during a rally in the national capital, announcing a monetary compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the latter’s family.
Earlier in the day, workers of the Youth Congress on Thursday protested against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal outside his residence following the suicide of farmer Gajendra Singh, who committed suicide during an Aam Aadmi Party rally in the national capital.
The demonstrators raised slogans against Kejriwal and burnt his effigies, slamming the Delhi Chief Minister for continuing with his address despite Gajendra’s suicide.
41-year-old Gajendra Singh, a resident of Dausa district and father of three, took his life by hanging himself from a tree on Wednesday, while Arvind Kejriwal was addressing a farmers rally on the issue of Land Acquisition Ordinance.
Latest updates:
The Congress Party held a candle light march to protest against the Delhi government over farmer Gajendra Singh's suicide.
"The farmer was committing suicide and everyone was watching as silent spectators. Judicial inquiry is the only answer," said party leader Shobha Oza. Meanwhile, the Youth Congress in Bangalore also held a protest over the incident.
The brother of Gajendra Singh, the farmer who committed suicide during an Aam Aadmi Party rally in the national capital, on Thursday alleged that Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia knew his brother, accusing the Arvind Kejriwal-led party of being insensitive towards the issue.
"Gajendra had gone to meet Manish Sisodia after they won the elections. Even yesterday, when I spoke to him, he said that he is going to a rally. Manish Sisodia knew him. Manish Sisodia might have called him for the rally," Gajendra Singh's brother Vijendra Singh told ANI.
The Delhi Police has squarely alleged that AAP leaders instigated Gajendra Singh to commit suicide. This is totally an incident where AAP workers and leaders instigated the man to commit suicide and they also did not pay heed to requests made by police," says the FIR.
"We are asking for a judicial enquiry by a High Court judge because we strongly feel that whatever enquiry Delhi Police does that would always be put under question mark because it comes under the Centre that is ruled by BJP. The AAP may question that the police was working against an opposition party," he said.
Delhi Police says the District Magistrate has no jurisdiction over the case.
The Deputy Commissioner of the Delhi Police, Vijay Singh, wrote to the District Magistrate. In his letter, Singh writes, "It is informed that the incident quoted by you is the subject matter of the case FIR No.95/2015 under section 306, 186, 34 IPC registered at PS Parliament Street. Therefore you have jurisdiction regarding this matter."
Delhi Police refuses to cooperate with magisterial probe, says Kumar Vishwas
Addressing media, AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said, "Yesterday it was announced that Magisterial enquiry would be initiated in the case. Today, Delhi Police refused to work with them."
He further added, "what the Home Minister said is not in line with what the police said. The Home Minister lied in the House by saying that the Delhi police was not allowed to do its work."
“Party leaders have met with Arvind Kejriwal. Yesterday’s incident is a representative of the state of the country’s farmers. Our workers attempted to save his life but were unsuccessful. The party has decided to give Gajendra Singh’s family a compensation of Rs 10 lakh. An AAP delegation will also travel to his house in the village and express grief on behalf of the party,” AAP leader Sanjay Singh told the media.
Water cannons used to disperse BJP protesters from Shahidi Park to PHQ.
Live | Rajasthan farmer suicide: Water cannons used to disperse protesters. (Pic-ANI) http://t.co/CyIBw8129d pic.twitter.com/U23iyBKi2M
— dna (@dna) April 23, 2015
We have submitted a report to the Home Ministry: BS Bassi
Speaking to media, Delhi Police Commissioner said, "We will look into the matter, and whatever needs to be done will be done."
Sachin Pilot: We will offer all possible help. There is some failure in the system.
Last rites performed on Gajender Singh
Last rites of Gajendra in Nangal, Jhamarwada Dausa, Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/NkXJMHQ4ST
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 23, 2015
BJP protests outside Kejriwal's residence.
Live | Rajasthan farmer suicide: BJP protests outside Kejriwal's residence.(Pic-ANI) http://t.co/CyIBw8129d pic.twitter.com/Etfp1MElNt
— dna (@dna) April 23, 2015
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a meeting with senior ministers over the farmer suicide case. Union ministers Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Venkaiah Naidu are present at the meet.
Live | Farmer suicide case: Youth Congress protest outside Kejriwal's residence (Pic-ANI) http://t.co/CyIBw8129d pic.twitter.com/Q33RDoPpG8
— dna (@dna) April 23, 2015
AAP meeting underway at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. Ashutosh, Sanjay Singh, Gopal Rai, Pankaj Gupta, Kumar Vishwas meeting at Kejriwal's residence.
Ashok Gehlot (Former CM, Rajasthan) and Sachin Pilot arrive at Gajendra Singh’s residence.
A team of Delhi Police is heading to Dausa to further investigate the matter of farmer's suicide.
Mortal remains of farmer Gajendra Singh brought to his residence
Live: Mortal remains of farmer Gajendra Singh brought to his residence http://t.co/CyIBw8129d (Pic-ANI) pic.twitter.com/0DMjP9CbxJ
— dna (@dna) April 23, 2015
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday stated that his government is committed to the well-being of farmers and will continue to strive for their betterment.
His statement came a day after Gajendra Singh, a farmer from Rajasthan, committed suicide. Arvind Kejriwal said, "The loss of life of the farmer in distress is an extremely sad incident and no words can fulfill the irreparable loss caused to Gajendra’s family."
He further added, "Delhi government does not wish to engage in any blame game at this terrible tragedy. We will do everything to find out how this incident took place in full public view
"Delhi Government is committed for the well being of farmers and will continue to strive for their betterment," added Kejriwal.
Gajendra had visited Manish Sisodia before the rally: Relatives
Relatives of Gajendra Singh, alleged that their family member had met Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia before the public gathering, further speculating that crop damage due to the recent unseasonal rains may have forced him to take the extreme step.
“I was shocked when I got to know about the incident. I have a close friend in the AAP; I gave him a call and was told that Gajendra has expired,” said Rajendra Singh, a cousin told ANI.
“I later got to know that Gajendra had visited Manish Sisodia before the rally begun. He did participate in rallies occasionally, but I don’t know what provoked him to hang himself,” he added.
Previous updates
23:30 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Describing the suicide of a farmer at his rally venue as "extremely sad incident", Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
Delhi Government has asked District Magistrate of the area (New Delhi District) to probe into the entire incident.
The government will await the inquiry report before any further reaction.
22:30 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
An AAP volunteer who claimed he had unsuccessfully tried to prevent the farmer from ending his life at today's rally at Jantar Mantar said he had little time to mount a rescue even as he blamed the policemen for not helping him.
21:30 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Autopsy of the body has been done and it has been handed to the family
Postmortem has finished, body has been handed over to farmer’s family: BS Bassi, Delhi CP on Jantar Mantar incident pic.twitter.com/9P38IPvxml
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
An FIR is being registered. The case will be transferred to the crime branch: Rajat Bhagat ( PRO, Delhi Police) on Jantar Mantar incident
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
20:32 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Gopal Singh, the victim's uncle, said, "Gajendra was under stress and disturbed due to loss of crop." "He took the extreme step due to unexpected loss. He earned his livelihood through farming and after the loss, he was disturbed," Gopal said.
The Dausa district administration, however, countered the family's claim, saying, loss of crop "does not appear to be the reason" behind it. "Loss to crops does not appear to be a reason of suicide.
His family's financial condition is fine and they have farm houses and his uncle is the local village sarpanch," Dausa's Additional District Collector, Kailash Sharma said.
19:59 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Even as political bickering continues over death of farmer Gajendra Singh, AAP leader Ashutosh made an insenstitive comment. He said that that next time he will ask CM Kejriwal to climb the tree and save the person. After social media furore, Ashutosh apologised for his comment.
18:55 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
PM has now reacted to the incident. He tweeted
Gajendra’s death has saddened the Nation. We are all deeply shattered & disappointed. Condolences to his family.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2015
At no point must the hardworking farmer think he is alone. We are all together in creating a better tomorrow for the farmers of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2015
17:26 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Delhi police has completely debunked AAP's charge that they were mute spectator when the farmer was committing suicide.
Enquiry is on. All allegation are wrong. Police did take various steps: MK Meena (Joint CP) on Jantar Mantar incident pic.twitter.com/SmjR7zhQ3b
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
When the farmer climbed the tree, some other people also went behind him, a series of events took place.We are looking into it: MK Meena
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
But AAP leadership is not convinced.
Abhi maine MK Meena ji ka bayaan suna...jhooth bolte hai woh: Ashutosh (AAP) on Jantar Mantar incident pic.twitter.com/65J6oGxzva
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
Hamara worker jo upar chadha usko chahdne ki training nahi thi, police ko toh train kiya jaata hai: Ashutosh on Janta Mantar incident
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
Our volunteers took the farmer to the hospital, not the police: Ashutosh (AAP) on Jantar Mantar incident pic.twitter.com/665CkCDNrZ
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
16:40 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Increasingly the unfortunate incident is snowballing into a major political controversy. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed deep regrets. He said
Deeply pained to hear news of farmer committing suicide at Jantar Mantar.Instructed Delhi CP to institute an inquiry into it: Rajnath Singh
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
BJP has put the entire blame on AAP leadership. Delhi BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said
AAP workers who were wearing AAP caps helped the farmer climb the tree: Satish Upadhyay, BJP pic.twitter.com/sT79LeXF0M
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
Rahul Gandhi has blasted the Modi government
Delhi: Rahul Gandhi at Lady Hardinge Hospital, farmer's body brought here pic.twitter.com/6QPmwmFaaY
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
Modi Govt helps their crony corporates. In Parl they said suicides arent taking place: Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/hWXKdwEGdb
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
15:47 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Want to ask AAP, what is more important, Life or politics? : Sambit Patra
Addressing media, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "Very painful to know that politics has become more important than human life."
He further said, "The whole thing was recorded by the media but no leader from AAP got down from the stage. We want to ask AAP, why didn't they stop their speeches when they heard that the farmer had died."
"Humanity died right where revolutions took place. Want to ask AAP, which is more important? Life or politics?" Patra added.
15:41 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Speaking to media, Manish Sisodia said, "When rallies happen people usually stand on trees, and thats what we thought: Somnath Bharti, AAP on Jantar Mantar incident
15:37 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Protest launched outside the hospital.
15:10 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "Don't want to politicise this issue, but sad that such an environment has been created in nation. I heard that the rally continue and no one tried to stop or save him (farmer)."
15:05 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
A purported suicide note was recovered from the spot in which he mentioned that he is a farmer and his crops have been destroyed. He has also wrote his family's contact number.
15:00 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
AAP rally: Arvind Kejriwal attacks PM Modi, says his government is for the 'super rich'
Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said that the government is for the super-rich and is anti-farmers.
Addressing a rally at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal said, "The people of this country voted for the Modi government with a lot of hope and trust, but in the last one year, farmers feel that the Narendra Modi-government is against them." Read more
14:48 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
This ordinance (Land ordinance) has been brought in for 'super rich'.
14:12 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Man attempts suicide by hanging himself from a tree
11:30 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi on said communication about the AAP notification issued to police to keep the media away from the rally held at Jantar Mantar was confidential.
“Communication with governmental agencies and police are confidential. So, I will not like to discuss that. Media, if identified, can go to any function,” Bassi told ANI.
0:40 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Reports say AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has asked the Delhi Police to keep the media away from the protest site.
10:05 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
BJP pursuing anti-farmer policies, obliged by industrial houses: AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is pursuing the anti-farmer policies because they have been obliged by the industrial houses.
"The BJP government pursuing anti-farmer policies because they have been obliged by the industrial houses. It portrays that BJP wants to help the corporate who eventually helped them during the elections, which is why they are trying to force this anti-farmer ordinance (land ordinance) as law," said AAP spokesperson, Ashutosh.
Massive Crowed Supporting for Farmers #AAPKisanRally at Jantar Mantar. pic.twitter.com/la8T2YPsA8
— Aam Aadmi Party (@AamAadmiParty) April 22, 2015
9:28 IST Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Delhi: AAP to hold a rally against land acquisition ordinance at Jantar Mantar. pic.twitter.com/0Ww4ffEP7Q
— ANI (@ANI_news) April 22, 2015
"The BJP says that they have made necessary changes in the Act. This is nothing but a joke. What compelled the BJP to change the provisions of the Act, just after nine months in power. This is nothing, but a move to benefit its industrialist friends," Singh.
Taking a jibe at Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, Kumar Vishwas, who had contested against the Gandhi scion from Amethi, said he should first explain how Robert Vadra benefitted in Haryana.
"He has come back from a vacation and his entertainment tour. The leader has been talking about the welfare of the farmers," Vishwas said.
(With agency inputs)