If it hadn’t been so tragic, it would have been comic. Moments after it was apparent that Gajendra Singh, a Rajasthani farmer had committed suicide at an AAP rally, the political class across the board - scrambled to score points.
Even those who said that the incident should not be about politics but humanity disgraced themselves.
Before our eyes he climbed the tree. I kept telling the police to save him. But the police are not in our control, but at least he is under god’s control. I am sad that he climbed the tree in front of us but nobody tried to stop him.
– Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister
It is the Delhi police that did not do its duty.
– Ashutosh, AAP leader
It was our volunteers and not police who took him to the hospital.
– Sanjay Singh, AAP leader
Saving a person’s life is more important than making a political speech...It is sad that no one tried to stop the farmer from killing himself at a rally.
– Sachin Pilot, Rajasthan Congress’ leaderIt’s very painful that politics is more important than human life. I am very pained that Arvind Kejriwal said he would continue with his speech and then go to the hospital.
– Sambit Patra, BJP SpokespersonWe are with the farmers...I am sad about this development. I don’t want to politicise this, but I had raised the issue of farmer suicides in Parliament... It is all because of crony capitalism.
– Rahul Gandhi, Congress Vice President
The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is responsible for what happened there and must be held accountable.
– Sanjay Kaul, BJP leaderAn average 46 farmers commit suicide in the country every day. We have raised this with the government as a matter of great concern. This land acquisition ordinance is further adding up to misery of farmers.
– Sitaram Yechury, CPI(M) General SecretaryAAP workers who were wearing AAP caps helped the farmer climb the tree.
– Satish Upadhyay, Delhi BJP leader
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