New Delhi: Agricultural scientist Dr. Varinderpal Singh refused to accept an award from a Union minister on Monday, in solidarity with farmers protesting against the new laws.
Singh is the Chief Soil Chemist at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana. At an event in New Delhi on Monday, the Fertilizer Association of India honored him for his contributions to plant nutrition. The awards were presented by the Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, DV Sadananda Gowda.
When Singh’s name was announced, he took the stage but refused to accept the award, saying that his conscience would not allow it.
“I want us to work together for the nation and for the government to listen to our beloved farmers. The work that I did is only for the farmers and our nation, so I feel like I would be guilty if I receive this award right now, ”he said.
Gowda urged Singh to accept the award several times, but he refused. Later, he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi explaining his decision.
“My conscience [conscience] does not allow me to receive this award from any government official, due to unnecessary pain given by the GOI [Government of India] to Indian farmers peacefully protesting (sic), ”Singh’s letter to Modi read.
While criticizing the new laws, Singh praised the protesting farmers for their continued peaceful protest. “It’s very heartbroken [heartbreaking] that the national media is rating Ann Datta [food provider] or its supporters as terrorists, ”he wrote.
The scientist also wrote to Gowda. Accepting a farmer “for the sake of professional gain would be a betrayal” to the farmers and the country, Singh said in that letter.
And this one for the PM pic.twitter.com/c9oUKWBqRM
– Om Thanvi (@omthanvi) December 8, 2020
Several eminent Punjab citizens have recently returned awards to show their support for protesting farmers. Former Prime Minister Parkash Singh Badal returned his Padma Vibhushan, Deputy Sukhdev Dhindsa of Rajya Sabha returned his Padma Bhushan and boxer Vijender Singh has said that he will return his award Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
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