Farmer Wished Narendra Modi On His Birthday Before Plunging Into Pond, Blamed Suicide On Prime Minister’s Inactions

An Indian farmer allegedly killed himself after leaving a suicide note blaming Narendra Modi for his inactions to provide fair prices for their crops. The man also wished the prime minister a ‘Happy Birthday’ before plunging into a pond on Sunday, Sept. 18.

The deceased farmer has been identified as 42-year-old Dasharath Laxman Kedari, a resident of the Ranmala area near Vadgaon Anand in Junnar taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, according to reports.

“The farmer had grown onions. But as the crop failed to fetch a satisfactory price, he stored the agricultural produce worth ₹1.5 lakh to 2 lakh. He anticipated that this time, he would get a better price but it did not happen,” said Pramod Kshirsagar, police inspector, Ale Phata police station.

Officials said they have recovered a suicide note purportedly written by Kedari in which he blamed Narendra Modi for ignoring the plight of farmers.

Demanding minimum support price (MSP), Kedari also mentioned the losses that farmers suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic and heavy rains., according to reports.

The handwritten note states, “I, Dasharath Laxman Kedari, am tired of life. The state government does not give a fair price for onion. Tomatoes do not get prices. Damage due to corona infection; Also, the heavy rains have affected the agricultural produce. We have no money in hand. Creditors are not willing to wait. What should we do? Can’t even afford to take onions to the market. You are just thinking about yourself, Modi saheb. You are not able to keep control of agriculture. We are not begging. We are demanding our rights. You should give guaranteed prices to farmers. Farmers are bullied by lenders. Today, I am forced to commit suicide because of your inaction. Please give us the market price which is our right. Happy birthday to you Mr. Modi.”

After being alerted of the incident, Pune Rural police officers responded to the scene and recovered the body from the pond. An ambulance transferred the farmer’s body to a medical examiner’s office, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the official cause of death.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a case of unnatural death and further investigation is underway, reports said.

Kedari is survived by his mother, wife, and two children.

The farmer’s suicide has triggered outrage from the leaders of the opposition party.

“Dashrath Laxman Kedare, a farmer from Junnar (in Pune district) died by suicide on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday (September 17). He blamed the Modi government for farmers in distress in the country. We condemn the Modi government. When an annadata (food provider) commits suicide, then the government has to give a justification for this,” Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said.