Sikh Priest Dies By Suicide At Singhu Border

As the farmers’ agitation against the new agricultural laws entered its 21st day, a 65-year-old Sikh priest committed suicide at the Singhu border protest site on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as Baba Ram Singh of Singhra village in Nissing area of Haryana’s Karnal district.

Singh left a suicide note which states that he couldn’t see the ordeal of farmers who are sitting on the outskirts of the national capital protesting against the recently-passed farm laws.

In his note, he said he felt a lot of pain for the farmers as the government is not giving them justice. It is a sin to oppress and farmers continue to be oppressed, he wrote in his note. The note is being verified by police, reported PTI.

“Farmers are in pain. They are protesting on roads for their rights, which is a cause of extreme pain. Government is not giving justice, which is cruelty. It is a sin to endure persecution and also a sin to oppress. Some have stood for the farmers’ rights and against the cruelty. People have returned their awards to show protest. I am committing suicide against the cruelty of the government. This is a voice against the cruelty and in favour of the farmers,” he wrote in the note.

Most opposition leaders tweeted condolences, and the list included Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Badals. The Haryana government is yet to comment on the issue.

“Sant Baba Ram Singh from Karnal died by suicide over the farmers’ condition at Kundli border. My condolences in this moment of grief… many farmers have sacrificed their lives. The Modi government has crossed all the limits of cruelty. Stop being adamant, take back the anti-farmer laws,” Congress’s Rahul Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.

“Anguished to hear that Sant Baba Ram Singh ji Nanaksar Singhrawale shot himself at Singhu border in Kisan Dharna, looking at farmers’ suffering. Sant ji’s sacrifice won’t be allowed to go in vain. I urge GOI not to let situation deteriorate any further & repeal the 3 agri laws,” tweeted senior Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Badal.

“The news of Sant Baba Ram Singh Ji’s suicide is very painful. In this hour of grief, condolences to his family. Our farmers are asking for their rights. The government should listen to the voice of farmers and withdraw the three laws,” Arvind Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Meanwhile, according to reports, several farmers have died during the ongoing protest which began on November 26. The reason has mostly been the cold wave conditions.

Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi quoted a news report and claimed 11 farmers had died in 17 days. The number has now gone up as two road accidents have also claimed the lives of four farmers from Punjab.

On Wednesday, hundreds of women, including many widows of farmers who were believed to have killed themselves over debt, joined the protest site at Tikri border.