Several former sportspersons including Padma Shri and Arjuna awardees voluntarily came out extending their support to farmers protesting against the Centre's new farm laws, said they will return their awards in protest against the "force" used against the peacefully protesting farmers in Delhi. Former Punjab IG, Sajjan Singh Cheema said former players would also join farmers' stir at the Delhi borders on December 5.
Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee wrestler Kartar Singh, Arjuna awardee basketball player Sajjan Singh Cheema and Arjuna awardee hockey player Rajbir Kaur are among those sportspersons who said they will go towards Delhi on December 5 and will place their awards outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "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," news agency quoted as Sajjan Singh Cheema saying.
"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," Sajjan Singh Cheema said. "If farmers do not want such laws, then why the central government was imposing on them," asked Singh, who has retired as Inspector General in the Punjab Police. Cheema said that few other former players including Kaur and Arjuna awardee (shotput) Balwinder Singh are supporting them.
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