Farmer Ends Life Over Delay in Kunbi Certificate Needed for Son’s Education

In a heartbreaking incident underscoring bureaucratic delays and agrarian distress, 55-year-old farmer Sahadev Rasal allegedly took his own life by jumping into a well on his farmland in Manjarsumba village, Beed tehsil, Maharashtra. The tragedy occurred around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, with authorities retrieving his body after a six-hour search. Rasal's despair was compounded by heavy rains earlier this week that destroyed his standing crop, exacerbating financial strains in the drought-prone Marathwada region, known for its recurring farmer suicides.

The immediate trigger, according to police, was the prolonged delay in issuing a Kunbi-Maratha caste validity certificate essential for Rasal's son to secure admission into a BSc agriculture program. Assistant Inspector Chandrakant Gosavi of Neknoor police station revealed that Rasal had paid the requisite fees through personal savings and loans from relatives, yet the certificate remained pending. This document is crucial for accessing Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservations, which Kunbi-Marathas are eligible for, providing quotas in education and government jobs.

The Kunbi community, primarily agrarian, has long been classified under OBC for affirmative action benefits. However, the Maratha-Kunbi overlap has fueled ongoing demands for broader recognition, led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil. Since 2023, Jarange's protests have pressured the Maharashtra government to expedite caste validations, culminating in a 10% Maratha reservation law in February 2024. Despite these efforts, thousands of applications, including Rasal's, languish in administrative limbo, highlighting systemic inefficiencies in certificate issuance.

Also Read: Azim Premji Says No to Traffic Shortcut but Pledges Big Solution for Bengaluru Congestion

Rasal's death has reignited calls for urgent reforms in Maharashtra's caste verification process, amid a national discourse on mental health support for farmers. With over 1,500 farmer suicides reported in the state last year, incidents like this expose the intersection of crop failure, debt, and social inequities. Authorities have registered a case under accidental death provisions, but community leaders demand accountability from revenue officials. As investigations continue, Rasal's family grapples with loss, urging swift action to prevent similar tragedies and ensure equitable access to opportunities for marginalized youth.

Also Read: J&K CM Abdullah Promises Free Land to Flood Victims to Rebuild Their Lives