Boxer Vijender Singh threatens to return Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award if the government doesn’t withdraw “black laws”
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Vijender Singh protesting with farmers
Farmers continue to protest against the three farm laws enacted by the government under the new farm’s bill. Five rounds of talks between union ministers and farmers have failed as the farmers continue to demand that the laws be repealed. The government has offered four major amendments as the farmers stick to their demand. This has led to the sixth round of talks, scheduled for Wednesday after yesterday’s meeting yielded no breakthrough on the repeal of the three laws.
Meanwhile, several former sportspersons including Padma Shri and Arjuna awardees have joined the demonstrating farmers at the Haryana Delhi border to extend their support. Many have threatened to return their awards in protest against the laws. And former Indian boxer Vijender Singh has joined the list as he threatens to return his Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award if the government doesn’t repeal the laws.
“If the government doesn’t withdraw the black laws, I will return my Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award – the highest sporting honour of the nation,” ANI quoted Vijender.
Arjuna awardees in line to return their awards
Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee wrestler Kartar Singh, Arjuna awardee basketball player Sajjan Singh Cheema and Arjuna awardee hockey player Rajbir Kaur have are the other noted athletes set to return their awards. The move by these noted athletes comes as a mark of protest in solidarity with the farmers’ protest.
“We are the children of farmers, and they have been holding peaceful agitation for the last several months. Not even a single incident of violence took place. But use of water cannons and teargas shells against them when they were going to Delhi. If turbans of our elders and brothers are tossed, then what will we do with our awards and honour? We are in support of our farmers. We do not want such awards, and that is why we are returning the same,” said Sajjan Cheema on Tuesday.
Also read : Arjuna awardees Kartar Singh, Sajjan Cheema and others to return awards in support of protesting farmers
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Anshuman Mahapatra
(1496 Articles Published)