Rajasthan CM Deletes Post After Fact-Check Reveals Farmers' Plight
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma removed a social media post after it was revealed that the "happy farmers" depicted in the video were actually struggling due to barren land. The video also used clips from social media without giving credit.
The Controversial Video
The 80-second video, posted on the CM's X (formerly Twitter) account, claimed that farmers in Rajasthan were benefiting from price support and market intervention schemes. It suggested that the "double engine government" would ensure prosperity for farmers from "seed to market." The video included images of farmers, the CM, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Photographer's Fact-Check
Sharvan Patel, a photographer with a large social media following, pointed out that the video featured his own father and uncle. He stated that their land had become barren due to pollution from the Jojari river. They were now growing millet on other people's land.
“A video of my uncle and father has been shared while our land has become barren due to the polluted water of the Jojari river, and we are growing millet by farming in other people’s fields,” he said.
He also noted that the video used clips from his social media reels.
“We’ve tried our best to convey the farmers’ pain to you, but no one listened. The two farmers, my father and my uncle, who are sowing seeds with their tractors in this video – their fields have been filled with chemicals from Jodhpur’s industry for 15 years, which are flowing through the Jojari river,” he said.
Tweet Deletion and CMO Response
The CM's office deleted the tweet after Patel's fact-check. Patel also received a call from the CMO, after which he removed his post.
“I have spoken on the phone with high-ranking officials of the honourable CM’s office. They have assured that the issue of the Jojari river will be resolved. Today, I am happy that our distress has reached the CM directly. Even if there was some mistake somewhere, by taking cognisance and assuring appropriate action, it reflects his sensitivity,” he said, adding that he has “always remained politically neutral”.
Villagers' Concerns
Patel mentioned that while some villagers in Balotra had received compensation, those in his village and surrounding areas had not received any in the past 15 years. He described the situation as "grim" and difficult to even breathe.
Before the CMO contacted him, Patel said he had repeatedly asked Law Minister and local MLA Jogaram Patel to address the issue.
“It’s good that you’ve used our videos in your video, but at least listen to these farmers’ plight, CM saheb. These farmers aren’t prosperous; they’re completely ruined. The government has given factory owners free rein to release poison into our fields. This time, out of compulsion, the mung beans we sowed in other people’s fields have turned black due to the rain, and no one is buying them. We’re not getting even Rs 4,000 for a quintal. We’ve shared a video of that as well,” he said.
Political Reactions
Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully criticized the government, stating that the CM's actions were insensitive and "sprinkled salt on the wounds" of farmers.
Jully claimed that despite Supreme Court directives, the government had not taken steps to address industrial pollution in the Jojari, Bandi, and Luni rivers.
Deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa responded by saying that the Jojari issue was "over 15 years old" and that the current government had taken steps to resolve it. He challenged Jully to mention any steps taken by the previous Congress government.
Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat said, “Compensation of Rs 4 crore has been approved for 3,114 farmers in the Jojari river case so far, and a new survey of the affected land has been completed this year. The state government has taken prompt action on affected roads, canals, pathways, and waterlogging. Additionally, a work order has been issued to prepare a DPR for a permanent solution to the contaminated water.”
