Kashif Ahmad Faraz | India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI—While many personalities have returned their awards in support of the demand of agitating farmers, Dr. Varinder Pal Singh of Punjab Agricultural University on Monday refused to accept an award at the hands of the Union Chemicals and Fertiliser Minister DV Sadananda Gowda. Farmers are demanding repeal of three Farm Laws passed in September this year, proposed electricity Bill 2020 and withdrawal of a law to impose penalty on farmers burning crop stubble upto Rs. 1 crore.
Dr. Singh was to be receive the award at a function in New Delhi on Monday but he refused to accept it saying that his conscience does not allow him to take the award when the farmers are on the streets fighting for their rights.
Singh was on the stage where the award was to be offered. While the minister insisted to accept. Singh refused to take it.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr. Singh said that his consicnece did not allow him to receive the award from any government official because of unnecessary pains given by the Government of India t the peacefully protesting farmers.
In the letter, he further said, “The work I did is only for the farmers and our nation, so I feel I would be guilty if at this moment I receive this award”.
In a separate letter to Sadananda Gowda, he said that it would amount to betrayal of the farmers and the country if he accepted the award for the benefit of his professional career. Dr. Singh is principal soil chemist at PAU.
A National Youth Awardee from Gaurav Deep, who returned his award, told India Tomorrow, “We have been participating in this protest from Punjab and our purpose is to engage youths with the farmers protest because when the farmers are hit by these laws, it will affect the consumers too. This fascist government needs to be countered by every section of the society. It is now farmers, six months back, it was Muslims and the next could be anyone. To resist the fascist of the government, I returned my Youth National Award which I received in 2018 for working on awareness on Vote Campaign. My award meant now nothing if the government is engaged in curtailing democracy”.
On allegations of protesting farmers link with Khalistan movement, he said, “This government has been doing two things: Changing the names of cities and naming and labeling the groups of people. They coined the name Sickular, Tukde-Tukde Gang and now I become the part of Award Wapsi Gang, according to them”.
The young protestor said, “Modi has sold Air India, BSNL, Indian Railways to private players by showing it in loss. The same trick will be applied here, our mandis will be sold to private firm and if this happens, our condition will be same as the farmers of UP and Bihar. The gram panchayats at present get grants for Mandi board for development work. The new farm laws adversely affect the whole financial system”.
A few days ago, veteran politician and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Prakash Singh Badal, a five-time former chief minister of Punjab, returned his Padma Vibhushan award to the President of India against what he said as “betrayal of the farmers by the government of India”.
Well-known Punjab poet Surjit Patar also returned his Padma Shri award in support of the agitating farmers. He said that he was deeply pained by central government’s “insensitive attitude” towards the farmers. SAD (Democratic) leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has also announced to return his Padma Bhushan award in solidarity with farmers.
Three boxing legends, Gurbax Singh Sandhu, Kaur Singh, and Jaipal Singh, have also announced to return their awards in support of the demands of the protesting farmers.
Thirty five Olympian and continental award winners, including former Indian basketball player and Arjuna award winner, Sajjan Singh Cheema, have also announced to send back their awards to the Central government in support of farmers.
Throwing his weight behind the protesting farmers Vijender Singh, INDIA’S FIRST Olympic medal-winning boxer, has threatened to return his awards.
