Silence is no answer, SC tells TN on farmer suicides

Saying silence was not the answer, the Supreme Court on Thursday told the Tamil Nadu government to explain the steps taken to prevent farmer suicides in the state.

A three-judge bench presided over by Justice Dipak Misra said suicides by farmers due to financial stress would “disturb the conscience of any sensitive soul” and that the state, as a guardian of its citizens, had a duty to ensure their well-being.

“When there are so many deaths of farmers in Tamil Nadu, it becomes an obligation on the part of the state to express concern and sensitivity to do the needful and not allow the impecunious and poverty-stricken farmers resign to their fate or leave the downtrodden and the poor to yield to the idea of fatalism,” the bench said. Earlier, the Madras High Court, in its order had refused to entertain the plea.