Gajendra Singh's suicide: Centre may order larger probe, says government

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday that there was no link between Gajendra Singh's case, the farmer who allegedly committed suicide at an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rally, and the amended Modi government's Land Acquisition Bill.

Gajendra Singh's suicide: Centre may order larger probe, says government

Delhi: After receiving report of a preliminary Delhi Police inquiry into Gajendra Singh's case, the farmer who allegedly committed suicide at an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rally here, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday that Centre may order a larger probe in it. 

"People have raised doubts about farmer Gajendra Singh's suicide. His family wants an inquiry. So the Government of India will think about the next step after receiving the preliminary report of the Delhi Police inquiry. Nobody should politicise it, because if you try to do that, it will boomerang," he told reporters here.

The senior BJP leader further said, "You have already seen how the AAP unnecessarily criticises the Central government and now it itself has (got) caught into a controversy. They (AAP leaders) continued their meeting even after the man (farmer) lost his life. So please don't politicise this issue and let the truth come out."

Naidu added that there was no link between the alleged Gajendra Singh's suicide case and the amended Modi government's Land Acquisition Bill.

Speaking to news agency ANI, the senior BJP leader said, “Suicide of Gajendra Singh has nothing to do with Land Acquisition Bill.”

Defending the Modi government's Land Bill, Naidu said, “Totally meaningless to attribute suicide to land acquisition act, government feels that act is in interest of farmers and poor people.”

However, commenting over the increasing farmers suicide cases, he added, “Farmers’ suicide is long term and sensitive issue, government at Centre & State & political parties should come out to find long term solution.”

He further said that it is not as if farmers began committing suicide only after the Narendra Modi government took over, adding that during UPA rule, every year more than 10,000 to 12,000 farmers committed suicide.

"So, please don't politicise this issue. Let us apply our minds and find some permanent solution to farmer related issues," Naidu added. 

Gajendra had reportedly committed suicide on Wednesday by hanging himself from a tree during the rally at Jantar Mantar.

The incident also sparked criticism with Opposition parties condemning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for going ahead with the rally despite the grave incident.

Earlier, Naidu had urged the Opposition not to mislead people on the Land Acquisition Bill and said the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre was ready for a debate on the matter.

He had also said that the government was ready to accept suggestions to improve this law. 

Farmer's suicide at AAP rally: Is there more than meets the eye? in Zee News's Hangs on LockerDome

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