Many former Punjab sportspersons to return awards in support of protesting farmers

After Non Resident Indians (NRIs), now many former sportspersons of Punjab have extended support to the agitating peasants of the state. Several former sportspersons including Padma Shri and Arjuna awardees said they will return their awards to protest the use of "force" against the peasants en route to Delhi.

Among these sportspersons are Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee wrestler Kartar Singh, Arjuna awardee basketball player Sajjan Singh Cheema and Arjuna awardee hockey player Rajbir Kaur, reported PTI. They will proceed to Delhi on December 5 and will place their awards outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The sports icons also slammed the union and Haryana governments for using water cannons and teargas on thousands of protesting farmers to stop them from going to Delhi

"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 water cannons and teargas shells were used 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 Cheema on Tuesday.

Farmers had faced water cannons and teargas when they were heading towards the national capital as part of their 'Delhi Chalo' march against the farm laws. Singh said several former players will go to Delhi on December 5 and will return their awards. "If farmers do not want such laws, then why the central government is imposing on them," asked Singh, who has retired as Inspector General in the Punjab Police. Kartar Singh further said that more former players would also join farmers' agitation at the Delhi borders on December 5.

"We are trying to get in touch with former players in Haryana for coming out in support of farmers' agitation, '' Cheema claimed.