Gajendra Singh death at AAP party’s rally in Delhi

APRIL 24, 2015 | EDIT

Rajya Sabha has resumed discussion on the farmers’ issues including suicidal deaths. Participating in the discussion, Bhupindar Yadav of the BJP demanded an impartial enquiry into the suicidal death of the Rajasthan farmer Gajendra Singh. He lauded the NDA government for revising the norms for providing compensation to the farmers. He said the government has provided more funds to irrigation to ensure better agriculture productivity.

Naresh Agarwal of the Samajwadi Party alleged that the Centre could not provide timely relief to the drought-hit farmers across the country. Expressing concern over the plight of the farmers, Mr. Agarwal said the country should acknowledge the efforts of the farmers, who brought green revolution. He suggested waiving of loans to the farmers. He also said that the Centre and the states should ensure crop insurance and direct the Food Corporation of India to procure food grains from the farmers.

Arvind Kejriwal has said that the suicidal death of Gajendra Singh at his party’s rally in Delhi on Wednesday should not be politicized. He said the real issue why farmers are committing suicide should be focused. Reacting to the death of the farmer from Rajasthan, Mr Kejriwal said whomsoever found responsible for the death should be hanged. He also said the incident took place in front of him and he was unable to digest it.

He said the truth will come out after the inquiry. Mr Kejriwal hoped that if the farmers can get the adequate compensation for their harvest, they will not commit suicides. He admitted his mistake by not calling off the rally after the incident. He said the blame game should end and it is wrong to blame the Delhi Police.

Congress today said, it is unfortunate that such incident happened in Delhi Chief minister’s rally where whole cabinet was present. Reacting to Kejriwal’s remarks over the death of farmer, Congress spokesperson Shoba Oza said that if Kejrwial was sensitive, the farmer could have been saved.

Reacting on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s statement, Congress leader and former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said that Arvind Kejriwal should not politicize the issue of farmer Gajendra Singh’s suicide. Talking to reporter in New Delhi, she said as a Chief Minister his statement should be much more responsible and meet with the challenges that come up due to a tragedy like this. On the issue of AAP workers allegedly instigating the farmer to commit suicide, Mrs Dikshit said, the Party used to hold dharna, which is not right for a ruling party.

Meanwhile, BJP also lashed out at the Delhi Chief Minister and said that his politics was based on allegations and blame games. Talking to reporters in New Delhi party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said the Delhi government will now stop getting into confrontation with the Delhi police. He said that atleast now the AAP leaders have realized the manner in which they had politicised the issue.The family members of Rajasthan farmer Gajendra Singh, who committed suicide at AAP rally on Wednesday questioned the suicide theory saying he could have been provoked into taking the extreme step. Blaming Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for the death, they said that Singh had gone to Jantar Mantar at the invitation of deputy Chief Minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia.

Gajendra’s brother Vijendra and daughter Megha said he was not one who would commit suicide and the handwriting in the purported suicide note was not his and demanded a probe into it. Gajendra’s sister said Kejriwal is responsible for the death. Questioning the suicide theory, Vijendra suggested his brother could have been provoked. He said Gajendra was in touch with Sisodia and had even met him after the poll victory in February this year.

The government has said a fair investigation is being conducted into the suicidal death of a farmer at a rally organised by the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi on Wednesday. Reacting to the apology of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the matter, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy wondered if a Chief Minister cannot save a farmer, then what is the guarantee whether people of the city are safe or not under Kejriwal’s regime. Mr.Rudy was responding to queries by media outside Parliament. When asked that some of the AAP workers allegedly provoked the farmer to climb the tree the Minister said, the investigation is on and those responsible will be brought to book.

Congress leader Verappa Moily said mere apology cannot wash away the laxity of Aam Aadmi Party. He, however, said the issue must not be politicised but be dealt sensitively rather than indulging in blame game. He also accused the Central government of not being serious over the farmer’s issue. Meanwhile, JD(U) leader K C Tyagi said, the matter should be closed as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has already apologised. When asked whether there should be a judicial inquiry into the case, Mr.Tyagi said, the matter should not be unnecessarily poiliticised.

Several political parties have criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on the suicidal death of the farmer at his party’s rally in Delhi on Wednesday saying that mere apology is not enough. Talking to reporters outside Parliament, BJP leader and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar remarked that apology cannot decrease the quantum of culpability. He said that instead of accusing Home Minister Rajnath Singh of telling lies in the Lok Sabha about the incident, the Aam Aadmi Party should cooperate in the investigation. He alleged that the AAP is doing politics over the unfortunate incident.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said Mr. Kejriwal did not do what he should have done before to save the life of the farmer. He said, it is the responsibility of Mr. Kejriwal and his colleagues as they have shown insensitive attitude. Taking a dig at Mr. Kejriwal, BSP Chief Mayawati wondered whether the apology will bring the farmer alive. Ms. Mayawati said it is unfortunate that the AAP leaders did not bother about the life of the farmer and they were busy in delivering speeches at the rally. Lok Janshakti Party Chief and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan expressed similar view on the issue.

Reacting to Delhi Chief Minister’s apology, CPI leader D Raja said the government needs to find some solution. Talking to AIR, he wanted the government to take immediate relief measures for the farmers. He also urged the centre to defer the Land Acquisition Bill.

How aap is doing in Delhi