In the video, Rajeev Tomar opens a pouch and swallows its contents as his wife tries to stop him.
Baghpat:
An Uttar Pradesh businessman on Tuesday went Facebook Live and consumed poison in a disturbing video that went viral ahead of elections in the state, alleging huge losses. Rajeev Tomar, a shoe trader in Baghpat – one of the cities that voted yesterday – survived but his wife died.
In the chilling video, 40-year-old Rajiv Tomar opens a pouch and swallows its contents as his wife tries to stop him. She even tries to spit him out before exiting the frame. Poonam Tomar, 38, allegedly took poison after failing to stop her husband from taking it.
“I think I have freedom of speech. I will pay the debt I have. Even if I die, I will pay. But I request everyone to please share this video as much as possible.” I am not anti-national but I have faith in the country. But I want to tell Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) that you are not the benefactor of small traders and farmers. Change your policies,” Mr. Tomar says in tears.
The shoe trader has complained that GST (Goods and Services Tax) has affected his business.
Those who saw him live on Facebook called the police, who took him to the hospital. Rajiv Tomar’s condition is critical, but his wife died.
Tomar, a father of two children, was reportedly in financial trouble for some time. Just a day before she attempted suicide, she posted a picture with her two sons, 15 and 11.
His stunned relatives say they never felt he was in trouble. His uncle VK Tomar said, “He was a very jovial person. It now appears that he was suffering from depression. But he never told us that he was facing any problem. He was actually other people’s problems. was the person to solve it.”
But other traders working near Tomar’s showroom admitted that the pandemic has hit business badly.
Tomar used to share posts supporting BJP on his Facebook profile. In the pictures, he is seen with several BJP leaders including Baghpat MP Satyapal Singh, Muzaffarnagar MP Sanjeev Balyan and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. But neighbors say he had no official affiliation with the party.
The two-minute video has been widely commented upon and has reactions from politicians including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He tweeted, “Deeply saddened to learn about the suicide attempt of a businessman and his wife in Baghpat and the death of his wife. Condolences to the family members. I pray to God that Shri Rajiv ji gets well soon be.”
Speaking to reporters in the Congress manifesto, Priyanka Gandhi said: “We are seeing this kind of trouble among small traders, businesses across UP. Demonetisation, GST and the lockdown have hurt them the most.”
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