As leaders indulge in blame game, Centre orders probe into farmer’s suicide
Farmer Gajendra Singh soon after he hanged himself during the rally.
New Delhi: A distressed farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide in full public view at the Aam Aadmi Party rally triggering a high-voltage political drama. “Gajendra’s death has saddened the nation. We are deeply shattered and disappointed. Condolences to his family,” Mr Modi tweeted. “At no point must a hardworking farmer think he is alone. We are all together in creating a better tomorrow for the farmers of India,” he added.
Shortly after the shocking incident, Union home minister Rajnath Singh stepped in and ordered a probe into the suicide. He spoke to Delhi police commissioner B.S. Bassi, seeking a detailed investigation. The commissioner immediately ordered a probe by the Joint CP (New Delhi range), who began a “thorough investigation”. A report late on Wednesday indicated that the Delhi police crime branch would investigate the entire matter.
“I am deeply pained to hear of a farmer’s suicide at Jantar Mantar. I have instructed the police commissioner to institute an inquiry,” the home minister said. A purported suicide note written in Hindi was recovered from the spot in which Gajendra Singh said he was a farmer from Dausa in Rajasthan, and his crops had been destroyed.
Gajendra, a resident of Nangal Jhamarwada village in Dausa, said he has three children and had been disowned by his father after their crops were destroyed in last month’s unseasonal rains and hailstorm. In the note, he also said he had nothing to look forward to in life and it had become difficult for him to survive. He ended the note with Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Rajasthan slogan. The phone numbers of his family were also scribbled on the piece of paper.
Home ministry officials said a “360-degree probe” will be conducted, covering all aspects. Soon after this shocking incident, Mr Kejriwal went ahead with his rally speech, in which for almost 20 minutes he launched a strident attack on Mr Modi, accusing him of working for the “super rich” and questioning the hurry with which his government had brought the Land Ordinance.
AAP leaders alleged that the farmer’s suicide was an attempt to “sabotage” the rally, and accused the police of being “mute spectators”. Mr Kejriwal blamed the police for their insensitivity on the incident.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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