NHRC talks tough on AP farmers’ suicides

Given its track record in Gujarat, where NHRC acted to subvert the situation when the Narendra Modi government seemed to be getting away wit...

Given its track record in Gujarat, where NHRC acted to subvert the situation when the Narendra Modi government seemed to be getting away with the responsibility of ensuring justice to Godhra victims, the Andhra government should take its warning seriously.

The NHRC today warned the Andhra government against sitting on the desperation of the debt-ridden farmers in the state, many of whom have committed suicide. Its chairman Justice A.S. Anand, taking note of the recent deaths, issued fresh notices to the state and asked it to give reasons within four weeks for not complying with the directions so far.

‘‘Death due to starvation is the greatest violation of human rights and state governments can not escape from the responsibility,’’ said Anand about the recent incidents in Andhra and Kerala. He added the states should realise that it is their job to ensure the right to food to all citizens. The NHRC also asked the government to expedite its reply on the recommendations made last April by Commission’s special rapporteur K.R. Venugopal, whose report hinted at what could happen if the Andhra government kept looking the other way. The NHRC report had said: ‘‘The AP government’s failure to go to the rescue of the families of suicide victims has a potential of being classified as negligence leading to violation of human rights. Continued inaction could attract 12(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.’’

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Sources said the report had even suggested preventive measures, but it elicited no response from the government. It had recommended the launch of massive developmental projects in drought-prone districts to provide jobs and also launch a social security scheme.

It had even asked the government to wave off debts of the farmers who had ended their lives and ensure the rehabilitation of their families.

The NHRC pointed out that the state had failed to respond to any recommendation despite several reminders.

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