Performing stunts not only fetches cash prizes but also earns participants popularity after posting their videos on social media.
Published Oct 30, 2023 | 9:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 30, 2023 | 9:55 PM
Sukhmandeep Singh died while performing the tractor stunt. (Supplied)
Following the death of a 29-year-old while performing stunts with a tractor at a rural sports event, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday, 30 October, announced a ban on such stunts.
The incident, which was reported from Gurdaspur, was captured on video by a few spectators and was shared online, triggering a debate.
The netizens sought intervention of state government and police to prohibit such dangerous stunts and the events promoting them, which are a common across rural Punjab.
The chief minister said, “Dear Punjabis, a tractor is called king of fields. Do not make it a messenger of death. A ban is being imposed on any kind of stunt or dangerous performance with a tractor and related implements in Punjab. What happened in Gurdaspur is unfortunate and should not be repeated anywhere.”
“Strict action would be initiated against those indulging or promoting such stunts,” Mann added.
The deceased, Sukhmandeep Singh, was performing the stunt at the fair in Sarchur village in Fatehgarh Churian on Saturday, 28 October, when the incident occurred.
The stuntman was trying to climb onto a tractor when the vehicle was standing on its rear tyres, and its engine was revving. He fell when one of his feet got dragged in the mud and was eventually run over by the tractor.
Performing stunts not only fetches cash prizes at such events but also earns them popularity and some even post their videos on social media.
In some villages, tournaments are held where tractor drivers engage in high-octane face-offs with vehicles. It is called “tractor tochan mukabla” (tractor tug of war), where two tractors are fastened to an iron rod.
These stuntmen make adjustments in their vehicles so that they can lift the front wheels of the tractors and drive it on just rear wheels and carry out other such stunts.
