New Delhi: As a mark of protest against the Centre’s controversial farm laws, former Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal today returned Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
“I am who I am because of the people, especially the common farmer. Today when he has lost more than his honour, I see no point in holding on to the Padma Vibhushan honour,” the former CM wrote in a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind.
Earlier, the farmers’ union had rejected government’s proposal to set up a committee to look into issues raised by farmers protesting against new farm laws.
Meanwhile, the Centre will be holding fourth round of talks with the farmer groups today after the previous round of talks ended without any resolution.