Dhule farmer's death: Son refuses to accept body, seeks 'martyred status' for father

MUMBAI: The son of the 84-year-old farmer from Dhule who consumed poison in Mantralaya last week and died on Sunday refused to accept his body from the state-run JJ hospital.
Narendra Patil, son of Dharma Patil , staged a protest outside JJ hospital on Monday morning demanding that the government give a written assurance granting a "martyred status" to the deceased and proper compensation for 5-acre land that is being acquired for a solar power project in his district.
"Government must take notice of my demand and give me in written that the reasons for which my father was forced to commit suicide will be addressed. Only then will I take his body home," said Narendra.
Meanwhile, the opposition has slammed the government, saying that this was not a case of suicide, should be treated as murder, and police case should be filed on the government.
Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has said that the government was ready to re-evaluate all 199 hectares of land, including that of Dharma Patil in the next seven days. "We assure that no injustice would be done to Dharma Patil's family and appropriate compensation would be paid," he said.