Maharashtra farmer tries to self-immolate in Mumbai outside Vidhan Bhavan

A farmer from Osmanabad district in Maharashtra on Tuesday reportedly attempted to commit suicide by setting himself on fire outside the Vidhan Bhavan. It rocked the two houses of the state legislature.

The incident reportedly took place after a fight with his brother over a land dispute, Deputy Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

Subhash Deshmukh, a farmer from Dharashiv, attempted to commit suicide by pouring kerosene over himself and setting himself ablaze," Fadnavis told the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly after the Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar raised the issue. Fadnavis also gave details about the incident in the Maharashtra Legislative Council also after the Opposition sought details. He informed that Deshmukh had a fight with his brother over a land dispute and his father too tried to commit suicide over the same issue a few months ago.

Fadnavis said he has directed officials to address the issue if it is at the official level adding that "prima facie, the farmer faced 15-20 per cent burn injuries. The incident is unfortunate and the government is monitoring the situation."

A police official said security personnel on duty in the area doused the flames and rushed the man to the GT Hospital and added that he is conscious and the Marine Drive police are conducting further probe into the incident.

Pawar lashed out at the Shinde-Fadnavis government for being insensitive to the farmers’ distress. "It is ironical that when the debate is underway in the state assembly a farmer tried to commit a suicide outside the Vidhan Bhavan. The government should provide immediate financial assistance to the farmers," he said.

Further, state Congress chief Nana Patole slammed the state government for being indifferent towards the farmers’ issues. He alleged that farmers suicides have risen sharply after the Shinde-Fadnavis government took the charge in the state.