'I have no political or terror connection', says Scientist Varinderpal Singh after refusing award

In show of solidarity with protesting farmers, agricultural scientsit Dr Varinderpal Singh refused to accept Golden Jubilee Award as well as Gold Medal for the Best Work done in Field of Plant Nutrition

Agricultural scientist Dr Varinderpal Singh refused to accept the prestigious Golden Jubilee Award as well as Gold Medal for the Best Work done in Field of Plant Nutrition from the Chemical and Fertiliser Minister on December 8.

Extending his support to the farmers protesting the Centre’s new farm laws, Singh, who is the Principal Soil Chemist at Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, said his conscience would not allow him to accept the award when farmers are out on the streets protesting the Centre’s agri reforms.

After yesterday’s event at Delhi Dr Varinderpal Singh’s letter to the Chemicals & Fertilisers minister DV Sadananda Gowda ... pic.twitter.com/LMJo6cIyAR

— Om Thanvi (@omthanvi) December 8, 2020

He added: “It is a time of crisis for the nation when farmers are on the roads with their genuine demands and the government is not accepting their request to withdraw the anti-national laws. My consciousness is loudly speaking that receiving this award at this time would be betrayal to my farmers and my nation.”

The scientist then goes on to mention that he has no “political or terrorist connection” and is “dedicated only to the integrity and prosperity of India”.

Dr Varinderpal Singh wrote a letter on similar lines to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, explaining why he did not accept the award and apologising for the same.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, the scientist criticized certain sections of the media for “labelling our annadata (food providers) as terrorists”.

He then urged Modi to “immediately announce the withdrawal of these laws in Parliament”.

Stressing on complete roll back of the three farm laws, he said: “Ignoring farmers and keeping them on the roads in winters is not in interest of the nation.”

And this one to the PM pic.twitter.com/c9oUKWBqRM

— Om Thanvi (@omthanvi) December 8, 2020