At least 20 farmers lost life during agitation, but Home Ministry says it’s unaware, reveals RTI query

In its response to an RTI application, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said it does not know how many farmers have died during their ongoing agitation in and around Delhi.

The application filed by Nagpur-based RTI activist Mohnish Jabalpure sought to know the number and names of farmers who have died in the ongoing farm protests taking place at various borders of Delhi.

Replying to the query, the MHA said, “The information sought by you in your RTI application is not with this section and may be treated as NIL.”

The MHA forwarded the application to the Delhi government, with the remark, “However, the same may be available with the office of the Chief Secretary, Delhi therefore your application is being transferred to GNCTD”.

As per data received from various sources, over 20 farmers have died since November 26 due to various reasons while protesting against the farm laws enacted by the NDA-led Union govt in September, as reported last week by National Herald

So far, at least 10 farmers have died due to heart attacks and more than two have died due to the severe cold, farmers' organizations have said.

In the second week of December, a 32-year-old farmer, Ajay More was found dead near Delhi-Haryana border.

Two women protesters have also died due to cardiac arrest. Gurmail Kaur of Chand Patti village and Rajinder Kaur of Gangohar village died after suffering a heart attack, said farm organizations.

Despite these untimely deaths and casualties, the Modi government has not shown any concern except sending a fresh proposal to the farmers for talks. In response to this, the farmers’ unions have demanded that the Centre must offer a concrete proposal first.

Five rounds of discussions between the farmers and the government have remained inconclusive after both sides stuck to their stance.