Farmer’s Suicide: Opposition goes red on center and Delhi govt; tumult in the Parliament

The much anticipated political heat escalated over farmer Gajendra Singh’s death, who committed suicide at the venue of the Aam Aadmi Party’s Kisaan Rally – called in protest of the Central Governments Land Acquisition Bill- as the leaders proceeded with their speeches on the podium, police officers deployed stood helpless and others gathered there thought recording the visuals was far more important than rescuing the distraught farmer.

Gajendra Singh hung himself to death.
ImageCourtesy: PTI

Early Thursday, the Congress and CPM served notices to the Lok Sabha, demanding suspension of the Question Hour over the farmer’s death. Home Minister Rajnath Singh ordered an official inquiry into the case, as the farmer’s death took a political turn later on Wedneday. A team of Delhi police was sent to the farmer’s village at Dhausa in Rajasthan, while in New Delhi, Lieutenant General Najeeb Jung and Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi met the Home Minister in Parliament. The Delhi Police also submitted its initial report to the Home Minister.

While the other political parties went red over the AAP, the later called a meeting at the party chief Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. Kejriwal stated that he did not wish to engage in any sort of blame game at this hour of tragedy, further adding that the District Magistrate has already began his inquiry. He said that they will do everything to find out how such an incident took place in full public view.

Congress staged protest outside Kejriwal’s house in the capital.
ImageCourtesy: ibnlive.in.com

The Youth Congress protested outside Arvind Kejriwal’s residence in New Delhi, burning his effigy. Randeep Surjewala of the Congress blamed both, Kejriwal and Modi, along with the weather, for the farmers’ death. “We have never seen a more inhuman and more cruel person than Arvind Kejriwal,” Surjewala was quoted as saying by ANI. The BJP too, launched its protest. Its party members protested outside the Delhi Police Headquarters and Shaheedi Park (ITO), with the police officials having to resort to the use water cannons to disperse the protestors.

BJP protested outside Delhi Police HQ and Shaheedi Park.
ImageCourtesy: ibnlive.in.com

In the Loksabha, the opposition demanded an immediate discussion on the Gajendra Singh’s death. The lower house was adjourned twice – once for 30 minutes and then for 15 minutes, following an uproar by the opposition leaders. Countering the opposition, the BJP alleged that the Congress and other parties were playing politics over this, while assuring that the government is ready for a statement and debate on the death. AAP’s Kumar Vishwas blamed the Delhi police for not acting on time, while another leader of the party, Bhagwant Mann derided Prime Miniter Modi’s Mann Ki Baat, saying it wasn’t enough.

“It’s unfortunate that the AAP held the rally and leaders continued their speeches. We should order a judicial probe into why no one acted,” said Sugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress. “This isn’t suicide, this is homicide. I request PM Modi to come out of Twitter and see the ground reality,” said CPI’s MB Rajesh. “Make farmers independent, you will not need to take debt from any country in the world,” Samajwadi party Supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said in the Lower House.

Uproar over Gajendra Singh’s death went on in the Rajyasabha too, propelling Vice President Hamid Ansari to adjourn the Upper House till 2pm.

(With inputs from The Times of India)

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash