New Delhi: Death for a cause always ignites unprecedented agitation all over the world. The same is happening after the 'suicide' of a farmer at an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rally in New Delhi on Wednesday. Gajendra Singh, a farmer reportedly in distress, hanged himself in front of AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at Jantar Mantar and brought the focus back on the deep crisis in farming sector across India.
The AAP claims that it tried to save Gajendra Singh from committing suicide and blames its old enemy Delhi Police for the tragic incident. On the other hand Delhi Police squarely blames the AAP for Gajendra's death which was almost telecast live across the country as TV channels were covering the rally at Jantar Mantar.
Delhi Police even went to the extent of hinting that AAP instigated that unfortunate soul to end his life. Both the ruling BJP at the Centre and the main opposition Congress are using the death to mount a powerful attack on their common enemy AAP.
The Congress which is in opposition at both Centre and Rajasthan, the state from where Gajendra Singh hailed, has successfully hijacked the issue and is leading the agitation over his tragic death.
The return of Rahul Gandhi, his newfound 'energy' and on going nation wide debate over the crisis in agricultural sector have come as a big boon for the Congress, whose fortunes have been on the downswing since the most humiliating defeat at the hands of Narendra Modi-led BJP in May 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
For a change, the Congress strategists are treading carefully and methodically. However, their attack on the government in the name of farmers looks like a well coordinated move.
Every politician and most media persons are urging that a tragic death should not be politicised. Ironically, the same people are politicising the issue. The politics over the dead body of Gajendra Singh has brought both the BJP and the Congress together in Delhi against the ruling the AAP.
In his home state of Rajasthan, the Congress is attacking the ruling BJP for farmers' suicide including Gajendra Singh. According to political analysts, the Congress has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the entire development. The changing public perception and the farm sector crisis seem to have boosted the chances of the Congress, which is fighting for its very survival.
However, many people have mixed up the issue of crop loss due to unseasonal rain and the new Land Acquisition Bill. It is true that the AAP rally in which Gajendra Singh committed suicide was against the Land Bill.
But, Gajendra Singh's suicide note itself claims that he ended his life due to crop loss. Crop loss and the Land Bill are two separate issues. So far no farmer has committed suicide anywhere in India because of the proposed Land Bill.
All deaths have taken place due to various other reasons including crop loss, drought, debt, pest menace, price crash etc. Some media houses have also jumped the gun by declaring that Gajendra Singh died due to new Land Bill.
But, the reality speaks of a different situation. It also does not mean that the Land Bill is not without flaws. Those who are opposing it certainly have valid reasons to oppose that.
Some of the provisions in the Bill have to be debated thoroughly before accepting the proposed legislation.
But, hurriedly linking his death to the Land Bill looks even a deliberate move to some. These two issues have to be debated and treated separately. By linking the death to Land Bill, these people are causing harm to the farmers, who actually want the government to wake up to their other major problems including crop loss, drought, price crash etc. The narrative of the death should be objective.
As usual all kinds of politicians and their associates have started beating their chest and crying over the death of a poor farmer Gajendra Singh. The most notable among them is Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.
In a condolence message, Vadra has deeply mourned the death of Gajendra Singh.
Well, a very nice gesture. But, let's not forget that Vadra himself is accused of land grabbing in Haryana and Rajasthan. He once called himself a 'private' citizen and a 'farmer' inviting barrage of ridicule from the public. Such things make tragic death of a farmer look like theatre of the absurd.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be completing one year in office in a month, is also finding it difficult to counter the attacks and criticisms. The continuing suicide of farmers across India, sluggish growth and the fear of below normal monsoon have also added to his worry.
The Congress which ruled at the Centre for 10 years since 2004 can't absolve itself of the farm sector crisis across India. It is a fact that thousands of farmers committed suicide even during its regime and it is equally responsible for the sad state of affairs across rural India.
However, the Congress seems to have managed to put both the BJP and AAP on the back foot for the time being.
After all, as Shakespeare famously said, public memory is short.
Comments
0 comment