December 19, 2024 07:17 (IST)
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Gajendra's suicide triggers blame game; PM calls for united efforts to solve farmers' problems
New Delhi, Apr 23 (IBNS) The tragic death of famer Gajendra Singh, who hanged himself in full public view at an AAP rally in Delhi on Wednesday, sent a shockwave across the nation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said nothing is more important than human life and there is the need for united efforts to work towards solving farmers' problems.
He also told the Lok Sabha it was time to figure out what wrong steps were taken out that went against farmers.
Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in the Lok Sabha on Gajendra's death and it was a matter not be politicised.
Both the houses of Parliament was rocked over the suicide as the opposition held the government responsible for the plight of farmers.
The opposition also pressed to the government to withdraw its land acquisition ordinance.
"For many years, farmers' suicide has been a cause of concern for the nation and governments. Because of yesterday's incident the grief in the country has been expressed here. I join in the grief expressed in the Lok Sabha," the Priem Minister said.
"We also have to see which wrong road we walked and what were the wrong steps taken in the past and present. We should all pledge to work together and find a solution to this age-old problem. It should be our determination."
Modi said his government will take all suggestions to mitigate farmers' plight.
Earlier, in his statement, Home Minister Rajnath Singh described Gajendra Singh's suicide as "very sad".
"Gajendra Singh's suicide is very sad and unfortunate.I on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the entire nation and government, feel that it was a very sad incident.This issue should not be politicised," he told the Lok Sabha during the zero hour.
Replying the allegations of the opposition that the Modi government was apathetic to farmers' distress, Singh said, "no government can claim that they are anti-farmer. All governments are pro-farmer.The government and the opposition should work together and come to a solution. Mulayam Singh is right. If farmers are not wealthy the nation won't be wealthy."
Singh's speech was often disrupted by a vociferous opposition as he stopped few times and tried to pacify the agitated members who raised an uproar protesting the government's policy.
Denying the allegation that police remained inactive when Gajendra Singh tied the noose around his neck and hanged himself from a tree at the venue of a rally of the Aam Aadmi Party, Singh said it was the police who immediately called fire brigade to bring down the farmer from tree.
Singh said the Modi government was "productively and positively" working towards farmers' loans which no other government thought of before.
Meanwhile, Delhi police have filed an FIR saying AAP abetted the suicide of Rajasthan farmer Gajendra Singh.
According to media reports, Delhi Police. Investigators say their probe reveals that AAP workers stopped police from sending the victim to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital while insisting that he was a party member and should not be taken in police van which resulted in considerable delay.
In the report submitted to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Delhi Police Crime Branch officials add that AAP leaders and workers instigated Gajendra Singh to commit suicide.
The FIR has been registered for abetment and obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty.
The AAP rally was organised to oppose the proposed land law of the Narendra Modi government, which the opposition has described as "anti-farmer."
Police have already sent a notice to the organisers of AAP's anti-Land Acquisition Bill. AAP leaders will also be questioned over the suicide.
The notice came after the farmer's brother claimed that Gajendra was in touch with Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who asked him to attend the rally. He has also said that AAP workers should have saved his brother.
Blaming AAP leaders for Gajendra's death, his brother has demanded action against the leaders of the party.
"All leaders should have tried to save Gajendra. If immediate action would have been taken my brother would have been alive today. Such people do not deserve to be in politics," he said.
The Congress and BJP stepped up the heat against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and his outfit for their inaction during the tragedy.
Congress on Thursday morning protested outside the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
They tried to break through the cordon of police and protest.
BJP on the other hand protested outside the Delhi Police headquarters demanding action against those who gave abetment to the suicide at AAP rally.
Delhi BJP leader Satish Upadhyay said people responsible should be booked.
AAP alleged has that the tragedy occurred owing to police inaction and there was an attempt to sabotage their rally.
Arvind Kejriwal said the police could have saved the man but did not. Police said they had warned against holding the rally at the venue because of over-crowding.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who is an MP from Rajasthan, said the incident "speaks volumes about the people who are protesting for farmers."
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