Since 2016, more than 65 farmers have committed suicide and before 2016 no such incident of farmer’s suicide was recorded in Rajasthan. | Photo Credit: AP



Rajasthan: With an unprecedented growth in farmer’s suicide, India is recorded to be worst hit by the agrarian crisis. The Census data of 2011 reveal a shrinking farmer population in the country. Some states are the worst by farmer suicides due to inability to pay debts along with negligible profits on the production - Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Nationwide, the farmers’ suicide rate was 16.3 percent per 1,00,000 farmers in 2011. The government's data doesnot include women farmers who committed suicide as women are not recognized as farmers. In Rajasthan, since 2016, more than 65 farmers have committed suicide and before 2016 no such incident of farmer’s suicide was recorded here, in Rajasthan.



While talking with Mirror Now the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA, Heera Lal Nagar, of Sangod constituency, Kota, mocked farmer’s suicide and said, “The farmers commit suicide so that they can get the monitory benefits.” Later, when he was asked again what he meant with the controversial statement, he denied claims and said, “I never said this statement, I have always worked and struggled for farmer’s benefits and I try they get best price for their production.”

BJP MLA Heera Lal makes shocking statements saying, 'Farmers think that if they die their loans will be waived off by the govt.' MIRROR NOW speaks to the minister about it. pic.twitter.com/r6rxCVoZsR — Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) May 27, 2018

The minister seemed perplexed and he continuously denied claims about his statement. He tried to justify his statement by making multiple remarks on farmer’s suicide and said, “Farmers should know that there is no provision of loan re-payment if any farmer commits suicide. it is media’s responsibility to guide the farmers and that suicide does not mean loan waivers.” He later began explaining, why a farmer commits suicide? and added, “We should understand the hidden reasons behind a farmer’s suicide. It is his inability of re-payment of loans and very less profits from his production.” The leader showed insensitivity towards farmer’s suicide and linked it with loan waivers offered by the government in some states.