Chandigarh: Akali stalwart and former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday returned his Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the Centre’s farm laws.
I am who I am because of the people, especially the common farmer. Today when he has lost more than his honour, I see no point in holding on to the Padma Vibhushan honour, the Shiromani Akali Dal leader said.
Parkash Badal today returned the Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the betrayal of the farmers by the Government of India and against the shocking indifference and contempt with which the government is treating the ongoing peaceful and democratic agitation of the farmers against the three farm Acts, a SAD statement said.
Badal said the farmers are waging a bitter struggle in the severe cold just to secure their fundamental right to life.
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Please return prize money also with complete interest.
Sorry Mr. Badal. I do not agree with your point of view about returning the award. You are treating this award as if it is a loan or favor which was extended to you by some of your friend and now you are in not in good terms with him so return it back. This honour is awarded for some of your exemplary work which you might have done for the society. By returning it because you don’t seem to agree with the views of some one who is in government of the day, you are demeaning yourself and your act amounts to a cheap politics. This award is decided by a panel of eminent personalities and a lot of prestige is attached with such awards. This means a lot to us common people and we respect it as respecting our nation. Please do not insult the national pride attached with such awards by returning it. By doing that you may become a hero for a few thousand people from a particular region but will definitely loose your respect in the eyes of people from other parts of India. The tiff between the Government and protesting farmers are difference of opinion and ideas and they can agree and disagree on some points and life will continue. But your this act has shown that how a hollow personality you are and in fact you never deserved it in first place itself. Thank you for showing your real character at this fag end of your life.