Distressed over farmers’ plight, Baba Sewa Singh returns Padam Shri Award
Posted: 04 Dec 2020 09:30 AM PST

CHANDIGARH, Punjab—Distressed over the Indian government’s behavior towards struggling farmers, renowned Sikh figure Baba Sewa Singh has returned the Padam Shri award conferred to him in 2010 for his pro-environmental deeds. Baba Sewa Singh heads the Khadoor Sahib based Kar Sewa sect.
In a letter addressed to the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Baba Sewa Singh has written that the Indian government’s behavior towards struggling farmers was worrisome in a time when they are battling for their existence.
“National Awards like Padam Shri are conferred for the welfare of mankind and society. Holding on this award doesn’t make any sense to me in a time when the common people are being subjected to excesses, oppression, and inhuman behavior while the Indian government continues to ignore their plight,” he wrote in the letter.
“This is a struggle of common masses and these common masses constitute India,” he said.
“…so I return this award to you in protest of the Indian government’s stance on farmers’ demands and hope that you’ll definitely do something to protect the existence of farmers,” he wrote.
Baba Sewa Singh is renowned for his work of planting trees on the banks of roads in Punjab besides developing several green parks in historic Sikh shrines. Unlike other Kaar Sewa sects, he has always preferred to use the money donated by sangat for uplifting the youth through education and for purifying the environment.