Fake: 25,000 Indian soldiers have not returned Shaurya Chakra medals in support of farmers

New Delhi, Dec 15: A newspaper has claimed that 25,000 soldiers of the Indian Army have returned their Shaurya Chakra medals.

The report in Prajashakti goes on to state that the medals were returned to express solidarity with the farmers who are protesting at the borders of Delhi against the new farm bills.

This is a false claim. The soldiers have not returned their Shaurya Chakra medals. Moreover between 1956 and 2019 only 2,048 soldiers have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra. Hence the claim being made in the newspaper is false.

Earlier this month, three boxing legends, Gurbax Singh Sandhu, Kaur Singh, and Jaipal Singh said they would return their awards to express solidarity with the farmers.

Several former sportspersons including Padma Shri and Arjuna awardees have extended their support to the agitating farmers and said they will return their awards in protest against the "force" used against the peasants en route to Delhi

Among them are Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee wrestler Kartar Singh, Arjuna awardee basketball player Sajjan Singh Cheema and Arjuna awardee hockey player Rajbir Kaur

They said they will proceed to Delhi on December 5 and will place their awards outside the Rashtrapati Bhavan.