Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad says no one should attend funerals of farmers who die by suicide

Buldhana: Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad is in the headlines once again because of a statement. He has been in the news earlier too for controversial remarks. This time the matter concerns farmer suicides.

The issue of suicides by farmers hit by drought and money troubles is a live one at present. Amid this, Gaikwad said that no one should attend the funeral procession of a farmer who dies by suicide. He said that when no one goes to the funeral procession, the farmer will understand this and will not take his own life.

The question of farmer suicides in the state is growing steadily more serious. Crop failure, loss of yield, rising costs and financial worries have left farmers facing many difficulties. Elected representatives are expected to make responsible statements on such a sensitive issue. That is why Gaikwad's remark has set off a debate.

He is reported to have said, while speaking about attending the last rites of farmers who die by suicide, that no one should go to the funeral procession of "those" farmers. Discussion has begun over exactly which words he used while speaking on so grave a subject.

It is being said that the aim of Gaikwad's remark was that farmers should not die by suicide. His intention is said to have been that, instead of taking their lives, farmers should take their problems to MLAs and MPs.

Even so, the question is being raised whether his tongue slipped while he was making the point. Elected representatives are considered duty-bound to choose their words carefully on a sensitive issue such as farmer suicides.

On the whole, Gaikwad's statement has come amid the grave question of farmer suicides, and the debate over it continues. In the statement he said that if no one goes to the funeral procession, the farmer will understand this and suicides will stop.