As Vijender Singh threatens to return Khel Ratna, BJP points at boxer's Congress link

As Olympics medallist Vijender Singh threatened to return Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, - India's highest sporting hour - BJP's national general secretary BL Santhosh has highlighted his association with Congress party. Indian boxer joined protesting farmers at Singhu border of national capital as ongoing agitation entered its 11th day on Sunday, despite Centre's efforts to eng in discussions with peasants.

Claiming that his link with Congress was 'conveniently being deleted,' Santhosh asserted that Indian boxer h contested Lok Sabha elections in 2019 on a Congress ticket. Singh ventured into politics in 2019 as he joined Congress party and contested Lok Sabha elections from South Delhi, which he lost. Several or sportspersons, including Pma Shri and Arjuna awardees, visited national capital on Saturday to return ir awards to President Ram Nath Kovind, as a mark of protest against agrarian laws. 

"I'd received training in Punjab & h ir 'roti'. Today when y're here in cold, I've come as ir bror. Or athletes from Haryana wanted to come but y have govt jobs & would've been in trouble. y say y're with farmers," said Vijender Singh while speaking to media on Sunday. 

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Singh h shot to limelight in 2008 when he won Bronze medal at Beijing Olympics. Indian boxer has also grabbed Bronze medals at 2009 World Championship and 2010 Commonwealth Games. In 2006 and 2014 Commonwealth Games, Singh won second prize bagging Silver medal. In 2010, he was also houred with Pma Shri - India's fourth-highest civilian award.

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Apart from Vijender Singh, former captain of Indian hockey team and two-time Olympian Pargat Singh also decided to return Pma Shri award he received in 1998. Arjuna awardees Sajjan Singh Cheema and Rajbir Kaur, Pma Shree awardee Kartar Singh, Olympic medallist Gurmail Singh and former cricket coach Rajinder Singh have also decided to return ir awards back to Union Government.

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Next round of talks on December 9

dressing media on Saturday, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar anunced that next round of talks with farmer leers will be held on December 9. Asserting that Minimum Support Price system will continue, he expressed that Centre's willingness to dress concerns regarding this. Moreover, Tomar stated that Union government will deliberate on all demands of farmers. On this occasion, he highlighted initiatives of Modi government for ensuring welfare of farmers and reiterated that it h intention of abolishing Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees. 

RE | Farmers' Unions Hopeful Of Ending Agitation Post Dec 5 Talks, Say 'me Little Progress'

Despite Centre's repeated assurance and appeals, farmers' unions have remained stern on continuing with protest. unions have issued a call for Bharath Bandh on December 8, Tuesday, which has been supported by several political parties across country. Indian Tourist Transporters Assn (ITTA) & Delhi Goods Transport Association have also called for strike on December 8 in solidarity with farmers’ protest in Delhi. “51 unions decided to support farmers. Farming & transporting are like 2 sons of a far,” ANI quoted Satish Sherawat, President of ITTA.