[Watch/Read] All Of Us Are Responsible For Farmer Suicides In Maharashtra: Nana Patekar

National Award winning actor Nana Patekar has been critical of the government & political parties in their approach to help the farmers of drought-hit Maharashtra. He himself has come forward on many occasions to do his part to solve the miseries of the farmers, who, without being able to carry the onus of debts and crop failure, resort to suicide.In a recent interview to NDTV, Nana Patekar talks about how negligence towards farmers has resulted to a great plight for them. Patekar has started an NGO called NAAM Foundation last year with noted Marathi actor Makrand Anaspure to help the drought affected farmers and the widows of the farmers who have committed suicide.

“Let’s take responsibility for one person”

In the interview with ndtv, he says, “A massive migration is taking place to cities. And I want to tell everyone: if someone knocks on your car window, don’t treat them like beggars. They are farmers.They are helpless. They need food, water and access to toilets. Let’s take responsibility for one person each. It’s not hard.” He also explains how the state could have avoided the situation by not hosting IPL matches. He feels now that the IPL is going to shift its matches, it won’t be of much help because anyway the grounds require a lot of water to be maintained.

He further says, “Next two months are going to be terrible. Had we acted earlier, we would not have needed to send the water train. We have failed as a people and our politicians have also failed.” In one of his statements, Patekar blasted the media for not highlighting this issue of farmer suicide. He says that he is aggrieved by the suicide of the Balika Vadhu actress Pratyusha Banerjee, but it does not have to be on Page 1 every day.

Maharashtra has been hit by worst drought this time. The situation is worsening every day and this has been going for the last 50 years. Places like Marathwada, Latur are the most affected areas. 2015 saw the highest number of farmer suicides in Maharashtra since 2001. Around 2,590 farmers ended their lives between January to October 2015, reported The Hindu. This is also at least 57 farmers have committed suicide till March 1.

The Logical Indian requests our community members to spread the word of Nana Patekar and let us all be sensitized to the cruel life our farmers have to endeavor everyday. Let us together do our part in ensuring our farmers who feed us live in dignity and good health.