Farmers Movement Archive

Retd IAF man returns honour in support of farmers’ agitation

LUDHIANA: Upset over the farmers’ agitation being called ‘China- and Pakistan-sponsored’ and questions being raised about the patriotism of the protesters, a retired Indian Air Force (IAF) warrant officer has returned a prestigious medal. Seventy-six years old Gurtek Singh Virk had participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars against Pakistan before retiring in 1993. The retired veteran, who lives in Ludhiana, told TOI that he had returned majority of the 13 awards he was conferred during his service in Air Force (from 1963 to 1993) during the OROP issue. Now, he has returned the prestigious Commendation Medal awarded to him by Chief of Air Staff in 1990s. The award is given to a selected few personnel for their dedicated and selfless services in IAF. “I am unwell and unable to travel… With deep pain I gave the medal to the ex-servicemen Welfare Society, whose members went to Singhu border to support the farmers’ agitation, and asked them to return the medal to President of India in Delhi who is Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,” Virk said. “It is painful that a representative of the government is saying that this agitation is China and Pakistan sponsored. If they have proof, why don’t they file a case? Whoever is the culprit should be punished, but no one should cast aspersions on our patriotism. I want that these laws should be repealed,” he added.

The Times of India

2020-12-25

India