The demand to withdraw the three infamous agricultural laws brought by the central government has drawn protest from a large group of farmers. It has been over 60 days since the protests started by farmers from the state of Punjab and Haryana. The protesting farmers were stopped at border areas of Delhi where they are continuously protesting from last 60+ days. The government led by Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar have held marathon meetings with the farmers but the harvester have made up their mind to continue protesting until the farm bills are taken back. While the protest continues, farmers are scheduled to hold a tractor rally from different location in Delhi on 26th January, India’s Republic day.
While some people are opposing the protest, people and various personalities from different fields are also supporting the disapproval by the farmers against the bill. Many star athletes have also supported the farmers’ protest by reaching many different places including the Singhu border. Some athletes have also expressed their support on social media. Here’s a look at them-
Mandeep Singh
Mandeep Singh, who played three international T20 matches for India, reached the Singhu border in Delhi and supported the farmers protest. The 28-year-old batsman has played for different teams in the IPL along with being the Ranji captain of Punjab. The middle order batsman was the first cricketer to be associated with the farmers protest.
“If my father would have been alive, he would have also joined the protests. He must be a proud father because his sons did their bit,” he said as quoted by TOI.
Jinder Mahal and Singh Brothers
Former WWE champion Jinder Mahal and his allies Samir Singh and Sunil Singh also extended their support to the protesting farmers. Mahal, posted an image from the protest stating he stands with the Punjabi Farmers, the voices of those trying to provide for their families need to be heard, and in a peaceful way. Its worth mentioning that these three Indian origin wrestlers currently live in Canada.
Singh brothers currently perform on 205 Live segment of WWE while Mahal is currently sidelined from the ring due to injury.
The Great Khali
Khali, a former WWE champion, supported the farmers by reaching the Tikri border in Delhi. The seven-foot-tall wrestler, who hails from Punjab, appealed to the people to stand with the farmers. He also asked the Central Government to withdraw the agricultural laws. He termed the three bills as black laws, and said that industrialists will benefit from the bill which will only harm the farmers. After joining the protest, Khali had given the slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”.
The former WWE champion runs Continental Wrestling Entertainment (CWE) in India currently.
Harbhajan Singh
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh gave his support to the farmers by posting several tweets. Tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Harbhajan appealed to listen to the farmers and solve their problems.
किसान हमारा अन्नदाता है । हम को अन्नदाता को थोड़ा समय देना चाहिए । क्या यह वाजिब नहीं होगा. बिना पुलिस भिड़ंत के क्या हम उनकी बात नहीं सुन सकते. कृपया किसान की भी सुनिए ? जय हिंद ??
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 27, 2020
Arpinder Singh
Arpinder Singh, who won a gold medal in triple jump event at the Jakarta Asian Games in 2018, also gave his support by joining the farmers’ protest last month. He shared the picture on Instagram account and wrote, ‘Kisan Ekta Zindabad, Kisan-Mazdoor Ekta Zindabad’.
More notable players who supported farmers protest- Vijender Singh(Boxer), Prem Chand(Bodybuilder), Padmashri and Arjuna Awardee Kaur Singh(Boxer), Dronacharya Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu(Boxer), Arjuna Awardee Balvinder Singh(Shotput) and Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee Kartar Singh(Wrestling).
