Live suicide at Kejriwal rally
Political blame game kicks off after distressed farmer hangs himself
A high-voltage political drama began here on Wednesday as a distressed farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide in full public view at the Aam Aadmi Party rally against the Centre’s land ordinance, in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who came under fire for “utter insensitivity” as he went ahead with his speech.
The farmer, identified as Gajendra Singh, climbed on top of a tree as top AAP leaders were present at Jantar Mantar, a stone’s throw from Parliament, and hanged himself with a gamcha (towel). As policemen on duty for the rally looked on, some people climbed up the tree to save him, the branch gave away and he fell. He was rushed immediately to the nearby Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in a police jeep, where he was declared “brought dead”.
A full-scale political drama unfolded with demands made for registering of FIRs against the AAP leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply shattered” and “disappointed” over the suicide and told farmers not to feel themselves alone.
“DEEPLY SHATTERED AND DISAPPOINTED OVER THE SUICIDE...”
A distressed farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide in full public view at the Aam Aadmi Party rally triggering a highvoltage 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 ques- tioning 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.
A case of abetment of suicide should be lodged against Centre and the state governments....two persons responsible for this are PM and Kejriwal
— SATYAVRAT CHATURVEDI,
Congress spokesman If Arvind had stopped his speech midway, there would have been a stampede-like situation. The next time anyone tries to commit suicide, I will ask the Delhi CM to climb the tree and save him
— ASHUTOSH,
AAP leader This is a conspiracy. You see Gajendra Singh jumped from the tree and still you did not decide to keep quiet. You still tried to score those political brownie points.
— SAMBIT PATRA, BJP spokesman