Bharat Bandh: Congress, AAP, Left Parties Support Nationwide Strike; Olympian Vijender Singh Threatens To Return Khel Ratna

Several political parties and sports athletes have stood in support of the proposed Bharat Bandh called by farmers’ unions on December 8.

Vijender Singh backs farmers protest against three farm bills, says "will return Khel Ratna if laws not withdrawn". (Image: ANI)

Olympian boxer Vijender Singh on Sunday joined the farmers protest in Delhi against three farm bills enacted by the Centre and said that if the government does not withdraw the "black" agriculture laws, he will return his Khel Ratna award.

 "If the government doesn't withdraw the black laws, I'll return my Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award - the highest sporting honour of the nation," boxer and Congress leader Vijender Singh said.

News agency ANI quoted the Olympian further saying, "I'd received training in Punjab & had their 'roti'. Today when they're here in cold, I've come as their brother. Other athletes from Haryana wanted to come but they have govt jobs & would've been in trouble. They say they're with farmers." Earlier today, Arjuna awardees Rajbir Kaur and Gurmail Singh, former wrestler Kartar Singh, ex-boxer Jaipal Singh and Dhyan Chand Award winner Ajit Singh also extended support to the farmers' agitation against the central government over their recently passed Farm bills. Political Parties Support Bharat Bandh on December 8 Meanwhile, several political parties have stood in support of the proposed Bharat Bandh called by farmers’ unions on December 8. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, Indian National Congress members, Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrashekhar Rao are among the ones who have extended total support to the Bharat Bandh on Tuesday. The Left parties, including Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) and Revolutionary Socialist Party have also stood in support of the nationwide strike and have requested other parties as well to support the cause of the farmers and join Bharat Bandh.