Varinderpal Singh, an agriculture scientist with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), who refused to accept an award from a Union Minister to express his solidarity with farmers amid their ongoing agitation against the Centre’s farm laws on Wednesday, told The Hindu that it was the attempt by a section of media to label farmers as “terrorists” that prompted him to decline the award and voice his concerns on the issues surrounding farmers.
“Farmers have been struggling and agitating for their just demands peacefully and a section of media tried to label them as ‘terrorist’. I was heartbroken and pained on hearing that the annadata (provider of food) was being labelled as a ‘terrorist’ — this is shameful act on part of such media people. I chose the platform [the award event] to let my voice be heard louder on farmers’ issues. I wanted to convey to the government that they should listen to agitating farmers,” said Dr. Singh.
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Dr. Singh, a principal soil chemist at the PAU in Ludhiana, Punjab, was chosen for the ‘FAI Golden Jubilee Award for Excellence’ for best work done in plant nutrition. On December 7, at an event held by the Fertilizer Association of India in New Delhi, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D.V. Sadanand Gowda was present to give him the award. Dr. Singh, however, refused to accept the award from the Union Minister, saying his “conscience did not allow him to receive the award when farmers are on the roads”.
Dr. Singh said that he would continue to support farmers through his research. “I will educate farmers about the technology that has been recognised by the FAI for fertilizer usage,” he said.
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Notably, when his name was announced at the event, Dr. Singh went up the stage and stated a few advantages of the PAU-leaf colour chart (PAU-LCC) technology for which his team was chosen for the award. He then said, “I have a humble submission that at this time of crises for the nation, when our farmers are on the roads, my conscience does not allow me to receive this award. So, I wish that we shall work together for the nation and the government shall listen our dear farmers. The work I did is only for the farmers and for the nation, so I feel I would be guilty if at this moment I receive this award. But I have great gratitude for the honourable Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Director General, FAI, so kindly accept my apologies. I regret for any inconvenience. My only feelings are that we shall jointly work for the farmers, we shall jointly work for the Government of India, so that we can build our India a great nation.”
“I support farmers,” he chanted before leaving the stage without the award.
Dr. Singh also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He began his letter with: “I am neither a politician nor a terrorist and writing in the capacity of an Indian...”
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He added, “...I am grateful to FAI for recognising our research and awarding the prestigious FAI Golden Jubilee award to my team... but my conscious [conscience] does not allow me to receive this award from any government official because of the unnecessary pains given by government of India to the peacefully protesting farmers. The way the government tried to break the courage of farmers and the way farmers remained disciplined and peaceful is now history.”
“..I don’t wish to use the space and time to tell you how the laws are anti-social and dangerous for socio-economic structure of India, as it is well known to one and all. The civilians and intellectuals from different states of India are demanding the withdrawal of anti-social laws. Under these circumstances, I regret to accept FAI Golden Jubilee award. I love to stand by farmers instead of receiving any cash award or gold medal at this time of crises for the nation,” he wrote.
Demanding that the Prime Minister immediately announce the withdrawal of the farm laws in Parliament, Dr. Singh wrote “..ignoring the genuine demands and keeping Indians on roads in this winter is not in the interest of the nation.”
