To support farmers, ex-Punjab CM & SAD Supremo Parkash Singh Badal returns Padma Vibhushan

In a big blow to Centre, former Punjab CM and Akali Dal supremo Parkash Singh Badal has decided to return his Padma Vibhushan award and has written about same to President of India. In his letter, Parkash Singh Badal has said that decision has been taken in protest against “ betrayal of farmers by Government of India’s and against shocking indifference and contempt with which Centre is treating ongoing peaceful and democratic agitation of farmers against three farm Acts.”

His anuncement comes as Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah and placed ball in Centre's court stating that it is Centre who will give assurance to farmers and fulfill ir demands. Centre is holding its 4th round of talks with farmers' union at time of publishing.

senior Badal said in his letter.“I am who I am because of people, especially common farmer. Today when he has lost more than his hour, I see point in holding on to Padma Vibhushan hour”. He continued, “When country houred me with Padma Vibhushan, I knew that it was only in ackwledgment of my commitment to people in which farmers featured most prominently. I owe it to m.”

Lashing out at Narendra Modi-led Central government, Badal listed his reasons for feeling “hurt and betrayed” by government’s attitude and actions against farmers. “When Government of India had brought Ordinances, assurances were given that farmers’ apprehensions on se Ordinances would be addressed to ir satisfaction while bringing relevant Bills and subsequently Acts. Trusting se assurances, I even appealed to farmers to believe Government’s word. But I was shocked when Government simply went back on its word,” he said.

Badal claimed that while “corporate loans worth lakhs of crores are waived off, one has ever thought of even subsiding farm debts". Badal described farm laws as “ Black Laws" and said that it adds to woes of farmers and serve as “ last nail in coffin of country’s annadata." former Chief Minister also ted that he had been deeply pained to see "conspiracies and vicious propaganda unleashed to paint this peaceful struggle as anti-national."

READ | Centre to address farmers' concerns one-by-one & leave option for panel; won't repeal laws

READ | Sacked Sanjay Jha warns Congress against opportunistic farmer politics; exposes its u-turn

Earlier on Wednesday, Arjuna awardees Sajjan Singh Cheema and Rajbir Kaur, Padma Shree awardee Kartar Singh, Olympic medallist Gurmail Singh and former cricket coach Rajinder Singh returned ir awards.  athletes have stated that y will proceed to Delhi on December 5 and place ir awards outside Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former Basketball player and Arjuna awardee Sajjan Singh Cheema strongly criticised use of water canns and tear gas shells against protesting farmers. "But water canns and teargas shells were used against m when y were going to Delhi. If turbans of our elders and brors are tossed, n what will we do with our awards and hour? We are in support of our farmers. We do t want such awards and that is why we are returning same," PTI quoted Cheema. 

READ | Punjab CM Captain Amarinder reiterates opposition over farm laws in Amit Shah meeting

READ | Row over agrarian laws: Tejashwi Yadav predicts exploitation of farmer by private players