Bant Singh turns down AAP honour

Aparna Banerjee

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, April 14

Bant Singh, who is known for championing the cause of Dalits in Punjab, has refused to accept the state award offered to him by the Delhi government on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar.

The award comprises a cash prize of Rs1 lakh. In Jalandhar to attend a seminar, Bant Singh said: “I can stay hungry for two days, but I can’t accept money from political parties. I don’t need their money.”

On his tough stance, he said: “I believe all this is being done to gain some publicity ahead of elections. A majority of the political parties have incapable leaders. Modi had said good days would come, but see how tough is the going for farmers and labourers these days. Only a government which stays true to the ideology of Bhagat Singh shall talk for the rights of the common man.”

Taking about the Congress, he said: "Sonia (Gandhi) also once said that she wanted to meet me. I thought she would come with 60 cameras. Congress men severed my limbs and I thought that the party president would tell the entire country that Bant Singh had pardoned them. I don't play into the hands of such people."

On the Shiromani Akali Dal, he said: "They never invited me. But before every elections, they drop me a letter to vote with care. When they need our vote, they recognise us for a few days. But for most of the five-year period, no one cares about the common man."

On whether he sees a change in guard in the upcoming state elections, Bant Singh said: "Harsimrat Kaur earlier won by 1.2 lakh votes. The margin then came down to 20,000. I think in the coming elections we will eat up that 20,000 too."