CHANDIGARH, Punjab—In protest of the Indian government’s insensitive attitude towards the farmers agitating against draconian farm laws, renowned Punjab poet Surjit Patar has returned the Padam Shri award conferred to him in 2012.
Septuagenarian Surjit Patar has said that he was upset over the insensitive behaviour of the Indian government towards the peaceful agitation of farmers for justifiable demands. He added that the Indian government has insulted public sentiments while trying to make this movement weak by terming it as an agitation of misled people.
It is pertinent to note here that scores of noted personalities like Baba Sewa Singh, Balbir Singh Seechewal, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Parkash Badal etc. have returned their awards in support of farmers’ agitation. Beside it, several renowned sportsmen like Kartar Singh Pehalwan have also returned their awards.
