Faridkot, Punjab: In a tragic incident from Faridkot district, two farmer brothers reportedly died by suicide after being unable to cope with mounting debt and repeated crop losses. The incident took place on Monday morning near a railway track close to a village, where the brothers allegedly jumped in front of a moving train.
The deceased have been identified as Jaskaran Singh (38) and his younger brother Jaswinder Singh (34), residents of Harinau village. According to locals, the two were deeply distressed over financial burdens. Born after six sisters in their family, the brothers were the only sons of their parents and carried the responsibility of supporting the household. The family owned less than one acre of land and depended largely on leased farmland for cultivation.
Over the years, repeated crop failures and expenses related to their sisters’ marriages had pushed the family into heavy debt, estimated at around ₹50 lakh. About three months ago, the brothers sold a small portion of their land to repay nearly half of the loan, but ₹25 lakh still remained outstanding. In addition, they were repaying installments for a tractor purchased nine months ago. Their hopes of recovery were pinned on a potato crop this season, but its failure appears to have worsened their situation.
Keynote Highlights:
- Heavy Debt Burden: The brothers were under financial stress with loans amounting to nearly ₹50 lakh, partly repaid but still significant.
- Repeated Crop Failures: Continuous agricultural losses, including a failed potato crop, worsened their economic condition.
- Family Responsibility Pressure: As the only sons with six sisters and elderly parents, they carried major household responsibilities.
- Land and Livelihood Crisis: Owning less than one acre and relying on leased land made their farming unsustainable.
- Aftermath & Demands: Local groups have demanded loan waivers and ₹10 lakh compensation for each affected family.
Villagers said the brothers had been unusually quiet and withdrawn in recent days. Their deaths have left behind grieving families—Jaskaran is survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter, while Jaswinder leaves behind his wife and four-year-old daughter. Their elderly parents are now left without support.
Following the incident, the village gurdwara committee has appealed for waiver of the family’s remaining debt, while farmer organisations have demanded compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the affected families. The tragedy has once again brought attention to the ongoing crisis faced by small and marginal farmers in the region. "suggest me 5 suitable hedlines"
