Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 29: Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has triggered a controversy with his remarks on farmer suicides, saying that people should not attend the funerals of farmers who die by suicide, arguing that the prospect of their bodies being eaten by animals could deter others from taking the extreme step.

The Buldhana legislator made the controversial remarks while addressing a press conference in Maharashtra on Wednesday. He was responding to a question about a recent statement by Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi chief Prakash Ambedkar, who reportedly made a controversial remark about farmers.

Gaikwad urged farmers facing difficulties to approach the government or seek help from their elected representatives instead of taking their own lives and leaving their families to suffer.

“If you have a problem, write to the government, your MLA or your MP. Tell me about your difficulties, and everyone will come together to help you. But by taking your own life and leaving your children helpless, you are, in a way, punishing them,” he said.

Referring to marriage vows and family responsibilities, Gaikwad questioned why farmers would end their lives despite promising to stand by their spouses and look after their children.

“You take the seven sacred rounds with your wife, vow to stand by her for seven lifetimes and promise to look after your children. Yet, if you end your life halfway through, what happens to those promises?” he asked.

The MLA said he had repeatedly advocated in his speeches that nobody should attend the funerals of people who die by suicide. He claimed that such a response would make others understand the consequences of their actions and discourage them from taking their own lives.

“Only when people realise that their bodies may be eaten by animals and understand what happens to their remains will they stop committing suicide,” he said.

His remarks come amid continuing concerns over farmer suicides in Maharashtra, where crop losses, debt and financial distress have pushed many cultivators into severe difficulties.

According to a report published by Hindustan Times, official figures obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act show that 13,128 farmers died by suicide in Maharashtra between January 2022 and June 2026, averaging more than 250 deaths every month.

Of these cases, 8,145 families were found eligible for the state government's ex-gratia compensation of Rs 1 lakh. Another 4,042 applications were rejected on various grounds, while 941 cases remained under scrutiny. Among the eligible families, 7,850 had received the compensation, leaving 295 still awaiting assistance.

Gaikwad has faced controversies over his statements and conduct in the past. In 2024, he displayed a tiger tooth worn around his neck and claimed that he had hunted the animal in 1987. In 2025, he allegedly slapped a canteen employee at the MLA hostel in Mumbai following a complaint over stale food.

His latest remarks have once again drawn attention to the debate over the sensitivity expected from public representatives when addressing the issue of farmer suicides.