In an unfortunate turn of events, a Maharashtra farmer committed suicide due to bad crop conditions. Shankar Bhaurao Chawre consumed pesticide as he was frustrated due to the red bollworm attack on his cotton crop and the liabilities arising out of his children’s educational expenses and family obligations.
This incident happened in Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district on Tuesday. Mounting debts and failed crop were the prime reasons though the 55-year-old farmer, has blamed the Narendra Modi government for his plight.
According to sources, in the suicide note, he states that “I am committing suicide due to the loan burden and Narendra Modi government is responsible for my suicide.” It was a six-page note.
Chawre also asked Union minister Hansraj Ahir, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Raju Todsam and others to help his family.
“The police have seized a purported suicide note. It mentions the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and holds him responsible (for the suicide), but we are yet to verify its authenticity and the actual cause of the death,” police officials have been quoted to have said.
The post-mortem report was awaited, following which the authenticity of the purported suicide note would be verified.
Chawre owned nine acres of barren land and owed Rs 1.40 lakh to the banks and private money lenders. He had earlier attempted suicide by hanging from a tree on his farm in the morning but failed after the rope with which he had tied himself snapped. He then consumed pesticide and collapsed. He was rushed to the local government medical college and hospital in a critical condition but died in the hospital at 1.30pm on Tuesday.
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Chawre, who belonged to the Gowari community, is survived by wife Alka (47), school and college going children – daughters Jayashree (19), Bhagyashree (18), Dhanshree (17) and son Akash (14).
His wife and children have said they will not claim his body and perform his last rites unless a criminal offence is registered against Prime Minister Modi. They have also demanded Rs. 1 crore as compensation from the government.
Kishore Tiwari, the chairperson of the state agriculture mission, expressed grief over Chawre’s suicide and assured all possible financial support to his family.
“We will ensure that the family gets an adequate compensation and his children get a good education,” Tiwari said.
Agrarian uncertainties have bene haunting the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra for more than a decade now. Hundreds of farmers have committed suicide here.
According to the 2011 census, the suicide rate among farmers is 47% higher than the national average.
Maharashtra accounted for the highest number of farmer suicides in 2016, at 3,661. This was a fall from 4,291 in 2015.