Farmer ends life at AAP rally

New Delhi: A distraught farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide by hanging himself from a tree as thousands watched helplessly at an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rally held in protest against the Centre’s land acquisition bill on Wednesday.The incident took place moments before Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was scheduled to address the meet. 

According to eyewitnesses, the victim, Gajendra Singh hung himself using a towel. An AAP volunteer who climbed the tree fainted while trying to save him. Later, other volunteers clambered up and brought his body down. “People around were in a shock when the man who hung himself fell from the tree,” a party worker said. 

A suicide note in Hindi found at the spot said the victim, a father of three, took his life because his crop was destroyed due to unseasonal rain. The note ended with “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Rajasthan”.

“I am sad that the man climbed the tree in front of us, and from the podium we kept asking the police to save him. Police is not in our control. Let us presume that. But aren’t they under



God’s control,” the AAP chief said at the rally held at Jantar Mantar. He further  slammed the Union government’s proposed land acquisition bill, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of snatching farmers’ land for the super rich.

Congress leader Ajay Maken visited Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where Singh was declared brought dead. He remarked that both the AAP and police should have taken steps to avoid the incident. 

“Humanity died right where the revolution took place,” said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, shortly after the incident. He accused Kejriwal of continuing with the rally despite the incident.   Senior AAP leader Kumar Vishwas said: “He (Singh) was brought down by AAP volunteers and he was still alive. When he was taken to the hospital he was then declared dead.”

“Vishwas later asked the Congress and BJP not to indulge in a political blame game. “Please help farmers in your respective states,” he said. Shortly after winding up the rally, Kejriwal paid a visit to RML hospital.