Shiromani Akali Dal (Democrat) boss and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa returned their Padma Bhushan award for opposing farm laws here on Thursday.
The veteran leader, who parted ways with Shiromani Akali Dal after political differences with SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, was awarded the Padma Bhushan by India’s President Ram Nath Kovind in March 2019.
“I have returned my Padma Bhushan in protest that the farmers have been organizing dharnas for the past two months, but the central government is not willing to listen to them. When the BJP government ignores our elders, who have moved their protest to the borders of Delhi, the award is of no value to me, ”Dhindsa told HT by phone.
The Rajya Sabha MP said that his party’s workers are extending their support to farmers and has asked them not to discuss party policy in farmers’ protests.
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“My son Parminder Singh Dhindsa also organized protests against these laws against farmers. I will support the farmers, ”he added.
He added: “I will intensify the unrest if the government does not repeal those black laws.”
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