Farmer who committed suicide was distraught: family

Jaipur, April 22
The family of a Rajasthan farmer who committed suicide at an AAP rally in Delhi said on Wednesday that the man was shaken after losing his entire wheat crops to untimely rains.

Gopal Singh, an uncle of Gajendra Singh, the farmer who killed himself, told IANS on telephone while on his way to Delhi that the man had not been compensated by the Rajasthan government.

"He had around 25 bighas (around 2.5 hectare) of land and grew wheat. His crop was destroyed by rains and hailstorm in late February and early March," Gopal Singh said. "So far no compensation has been given to us."

Gopal Singh alleged that not even one farmer had got any compensation in Dausa district.

Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed concern over the condition of farmers.

"It is very tragic. Today the condition of the farmer has become so bad that he is forced to commit suicide in public, that too in the national capital," Gehlot said.

Congress state president Sachin Pilot told IANS: "In broad daylight a farmer has committed suicide. If this does not shake up or wake up the government, what else will?"

He added: "We will try to extend all possible help to the victim. It is really a very sad day for Rajasthan and for the country."

Meanwhile, the Congress in Rajasthan announced Rs.200,000 as compensation to Gajendra Singh's family.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje called the suicide a tragedy.