Former Punjab CM and NDA’s strongest ally returns Padma Vibhushan over farm laws

Former Punjab Chief Minister and SAD leader Prakash Singh Badal, who was one of NDA’s strong allies, has decided to return his Padma Vibhushan award in protest against the farm laws amid the ongoing farmer’s agitation.

Parkash Singh Badal has said, “I feel so poor that I do not have much else to sacrifice to express solidarity with the farmers’ cause.”

“I owe everything to the farmers. I am who I am because of them. There is no point of holding on to honours if farmers are dishonoured. I am deeply pained by the betrayal on assurances given to farmers to address their apprehensions,” said Parkash Singh Badal while return the top civilian honour.

Meanwhile, the agitating farmers have entered the second round of talks with the centre in Delhi even as hundreds of farmers continue to camp on the Delhi borders.

The Punjab leader has come down heavily on the Centre slamming the “communal and separatist insinuations against farmers”. Parkash Singh Badal has also warned about the dangers to the secular fabric of the country.

Former Akali Dal leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has also returned his Padma Bhushan to protest against the government.