Punjab Ranji team captain Mandeep Singh comes out in support of farmers

Kings XI Punjab player and Punjab Ranji skipper, Mandeep Singh, on Tuedsay became the first cricketer to come out in support of the ongoing farmers protests on Tuesday. The 28-year-old spent his whole day with the farmers at the Haryana-Delhi Singhu border yesterday.

The right handed batsman reached Delhi with his brother Harvinder Singh and three other friends on Monday evening and left for Jalandhar only on yesterday evening.

“I was moved by seeing elders and farmers protesting at the Delhi borders and hence I decided to support them. Farmers have hearts of lions and have been protesting peacefully against the farm bills and I only wish that their demands are met as soon as possible and the issue is resolved so that they can return to their homes…in whatever way we can, we are there for the farmers,” Mandeep said to The Indian Express.

Mandeep who has played 3 T20Is for India had lost his father recently when he was plying his trade for the KXIP in the IPL at UAE. The youngster though didn’t return home and had scored a match winning 66 in the very next match against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

“If my father would have been alive, he would have also joined the protest. He must be a proud father because his sons did their bit,” Mandeep said to the Times of India.

Also read: “Tired of speaking, want a solution” Vinesh Phogat expresses solidarity with farmers’ protest

The farmers of India are out on the street protesting against The Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 which was passed by the BJP led central government through a voice vote.

Many sportspersons including the likes of boxer Vijender Singh, wrestler Vinesh Phogat and others have come out in the support of the agitating farmers and have demanded that the government roll back these three ‘anti-farmer laws’.

Also read: IOA issues statement asking sportspersons not to return awards in support of farmers’ protest