On Tuesday, two farmers allegedly committed suicide in separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh, as the state continues to be hit by violent protests by farmers over plummeting crop prices and ballooning debts.
A 40-year-old farmer, Babulal Verma from Hoshangabad district died after he attempted self-immolation last Thursday and 65-year-old Laxmi Gomasta killed himself in Narsinghpur district after consuming poison on Monday night.
The total number of farmer suicides in the state has now risen to 17 since the protests started on June 6 in Mandsaur by farmers, who have been demanding loan waivers and better prices for their produce.
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu today said that waiving of crop loans has become a 'fashion' these days.