Debt-ridden farmer ends life in Pune, blames Modi in suicide note

A 45-year-old farmer allegedly died by suicide after jumping into a pond in the Pune district Sunday, said the police. The police have identified the deceased as Dashrath Lakshman Kedari from the Wadgaon Anand village in the Junnar taluka.

According to a Indian Express report, officials have recovered a suicide note written by Kedari in which he talked about not getting  Minimum Support Price (MSP)for crops and harassment at the hands of loan recovery agents. Kedari also blamed the Maharastra Government and the Centre for ignoring the plight of farmers in his note. He mentioned the condition of farmers due to the losses suffered because of the COVID pandemic and heavy rain. He also blamed PM Modi for his inaction and demanded MSP.

In the handwritten note, Kedari wrote, “We have no money, moneylenders are not ready to wait. What should we do? We can’t even afford to take onions to the market. You are just thinking about yourself, Modi saheb. You must provide the guaranteed price for the produce. You are not able to keep control of agriculture. What should farmers do? The finance guys threaten, and the patpedhi (cooperative society) officers abuse. Who should we go for justice?… Today, I am forced to commit suicide because of your inaction. Please give us the prices for crops, which is our right”. Kedari is survived by his mother, wife, and two children.