Notwithstanding more than 60 percent of Indians dependent on agriculture, official statistics puts suicide rate of farmers at 47 percent higher than the rest of population.
Notwithstanding more than 60 percent of Indians dependent on agriculture, official statistics puts suicide rate of farmers at 47 percent higher than the rest of population. The crop failures and rising debts have forced lakhs of farmers to end their lives over past two decades; but Gajendra Singh, who committed suicide in the national capital – just 200 metres away from the Parliament House, in the presence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and in full media glare – has sent shock waves across the globe at a time when India is vying for the status of a rising power.
Politics was stark out on the farmer's dead body, with the Congress, the AAP and the BJP blaming each other. Politicians of all colours were rushing to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and later to mortuary, to play politics on the tragedy. They included Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, chief minister Kejriwal, union health minister J P Nadda, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechuri and many others. There was even a scuffle between politicians and police to race inside the mortuary. While Rahul, accompanied by his elite special protection group (SPG) commandos found it no task, some Delhi BJP leaders including Ramesh Bidhuri, MP, and CPI leader D Raja were stopped at the gate.
More grisly was, when Gajindra's body was being taken to hospital, Kejriwal, instead of walking down from the podium, took to the mic, reminding that Delhi police was outside his jurisdiction. He accused the police of being politically motivated and so deliberately not helping the poor man. It appears the theatre of absurd had only begun. Opposition parties, who were preparing for a showdown with the ruling BJP as Rajya Sabha begins its new session from Thursday, got an issue in hand. Congress leaders met in evening to chalk out strategy with other opposition parties to put the government on mat, which is apparently losing a perception battle in rural India and amongst poor.
Knowing the international ramifications of this suicide, under his nose in the seat of power, PM Modi stepped in to condole the death. "Gajendra's death has saddened the nation. We are all deeply shattered and disappointed. Condolences to his family. 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," the PM said.
Ruffled BJP, didn't waste time to highlight insensitiveness of the AAP. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra, immediately called a news conference questioning how Kejriwal could go on with the rally despite the suicide. But this press interaction boomeranged as he himself came under attack on twitter for "politicising" the death of a farmer. "This is a conspiracy... How did the Delhi CM even think of continuing his speech after knowing a man had committed suicide in his presence... Was rally more important? Politics for you was more important than the life of the farmer?" he asked.
Though, political parties had geared a battle against land acquisition Bill, the recent untimely rains and crop failures have added grit to their campaign to build a perception against Modi government. The newly-anointed CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said "an average of 46 farmers commit suicide in the country every day. We have raised this with the government as a matter of great concern. Now the land acquisition Bill has deepened their worries."
Not to be left behind, a charged Congress asked for filing an FIR against Kejriwal for abetting suicide. Former MP from Dausa, Sachin Pilot expressed his pain. Party spokesperson Satiyavarta Chaturvedi however forgot to mention about farmers who committed suicides during the preveious UPA regime.
Rahul Gandhi visited the Lady Hardinge hospital mortuary, where body of farmers was brought for autopsy. Repeating his charge against government, he said: "The farmers are being punished by the Modi government." Away from the hullabaloo over the incident, Rajasthan CM Vasundhra Raje was in Kolkata inviting potential investors, business community and NRIs to attend the Resurgent Rajasthan Partnership Summit.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}