Farmer suicides back in focus in Haryana

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, April 6

The alleged suicide by a farmer in Beer Baabran village of this district has once again brought into focus the harsh reality facing Haryana that makes a considerable contribution to the central pool of foodgrain.

Om Prakash (49) had lost his wheat crop spread over 8 acres and “methi” (fenugreek) spread over 1 acre due to unseasonal rain and hailstorm. He reportedly ended his life by hanging himself from a tree in an HAU farm here yesterday.

The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data about the number of suicides by farmers from 2004 to 2013 shows that suicide rate has been three to four times more in the state than in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh during the past decade.

Experts said the reason for high number of suicides was pitiable financial situation of farmers in Haryana in comparison to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

The data showed 374 farmers had committed suicide in 2013 in Haryana — about 4.5 times more than in Punjab where 83 persons took the extreme step that year.

Ramesh Beniwal of the Haryana Kisan Manch said suicide had exposed the vulnerability of farmers facing adverse financial conditions due to successive crop failures. “Poverty leads to disputes in families of farmers. Though there have been several suicides, families don’t report the instances due to social stigma attached to them. The administration attributes the reason to mental disturbances, but it’s the poor financial condition,” he said.

Beniwal said the manch had launched a drive to discourage farmers from taking the extreme step. “Members of the mach have given the slogan ‘aatm hatya nahi karenge, ladenge aur sangharsh karange’ (We will not commit suicide. Instead, we will fight and battle it out),” he added.