Badal, Dhindsa return their Padma Awards in support of farmers

Former Union Minister and five-time Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal returned his Padma Vibhushan award in support of farmers who are protesting against the Centre's farm laws.

Mr Badal, whose Shiromani Akali Dal has pulled out of the NDA alliance over the farmers' protest, said he was registering his protest against the government's "betrayal of farmers". "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 Shiromani Akali Dal leader said.

Additionally, Shiromani Akali Dal Democratic chief and Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa has also announced that he would also be returning his Padma Bhushan award in support of farmers.

"There is no politics behind returning awards. It comes from the pain of the farmers. All these people (returning awards) also have their elders at the borders protesting. I welcome everyone doing this, including Prakash Singh Badal. We only want the farmers' unions to be satisfied. Its not only farmers now. Actors, artists, players, all of the diaspora has joined the movement," Dhindsa added.