Maharashtra: Rahul Gandhi Attacks Modi Govt Over Farmer Suicides

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of being indifferent to the plight of farmers in Maharashtra. He highlighted the alarming issue of farmer suicides in the state, emphasizing that farmers are sinking deeper into debt every day. In a post on X, Gandhi expressed his outrage, stating, “Think about it… in just 3 months, 767 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra. Is this just a statistic? No. These are 767 destroyed homes. 767 families that will never be able to recover. And the government? It is silent. It is watching indifferently.”

The issue of farmer suicides has been a contentious topic in Maharashtra, and on Wednesday, Opposition members staged walkouts in the Maharashtra Assembly twice, demanding action on this pressing issue. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar brought attention to the grim statistics, claiming that “767 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra between January and March this year.” He further noted that while 200 cases were declared ineligible for aid, inquiries are still pending in 194 cases, underscoring the bureaucratic hurdles that families of the deceased farmers face.

Gandhi’s criticism extended to the government’s failure to address farmers’ demands for a loan waiver and a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for crops. He lamented, “Farmers are sinking deeper into debt every day as seeds, fertilizers, and diesel are expensive. But there is no guarantee of MSP. When they demand a loan waiver, they are ignored.” His remarks reflect a growing frustration among farmers who feel abandoned by the government.

In a stark contrast, Gandhi pointed out the preferential treatment given to wealthy individuals, stating, “But (what about) those who have crores? The Modi government easily waives their loans. Just look at today’s news — Anil Ambani’s Rs 48,000 crore SBI ‘fraud’.” This highlights the perceived disparity in how the government addresses the financial woes of the rich versus the struggles of ordinary farmers.

Gandhi also recalled Prime Minister Modi’s earlier promises, saying, “Modi ji had said that he would double the income of farmers. Today the situation is such that the life of the farmer is being halved.” He painted a grim picture of the current state of agriculture, asserting, “This system is killing farmers — silently, but continuously, and Modi ji is watching the spectacle of his own PR.”

In response to Gandhi’s accusations, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya countered by sharing a chart on X, claiming that “55,928 farmers committed suicide in Maharashtra during the 15-year tenure of the NCP-Congress government.” He criticized Gandhi’s focus on the current situation, stating, “The politics of counting the dead is disgusting, but it is necessary to show the mirror to people like Rahul Gandhi.” Malviya urged Gandhi to reflect on the past, saying, “Before opening his mouth, Rahul Gandhi should recall the sins committed by the NCP-Congress government during its tenure in Maharashtra.”

As the debate over farmers’ deep distress continues, their plight remains a critical issue that demands urgent attention and action from the government. The stark realities faced by farmers in Maharashtra highlight the need for comprehensive policies that address their financial struggles and ensure their livelihoods are protected.