Shortly after photos and information of the incident, reported first by TOI on September 18, unfold like wildfire, the UP authorities suspended the sports activities officer of Saharanpur, Animesh Saxena, and ordered an inquiry towards him. The contractor, who was given accountability for cooking the meals and serving it to the gamers, was blacklisted.
The incident drew sharp condemnation from a number of politicians, together with BJP’s Pilibhit MP Varun Gandhi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal amongst a number of others. Union sports activities minister Anurag Thakur stated he has directed “strict motion” within the matter.
Varun slams system, says nation shamed
Varun Gandhi tweeted, “Is the success of Indian sportspersons regardless of the system somewhat than resulting from it? This consistently disrespectful behaviour is a good disgrace for our nation.”
Delhi CM Kejriwal stated, “If that is how we deal with our sportspersons, how will India win Olympic golds? How will India turn into no 1 in sports activities?”
The viral video confirmed athletes who took half within the sub-junior women’ kabaddi event at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Stadium in Saharanpur being served rice from a plate on the ground of a bathroom. The sports activities division had organised the event on the stadium from September 16 to 18. Over 200 gamers from 17 groups throughout 16 divisions of the state took half within the competitors.
Further chief secretary (sports activities) Navneet Sehgal stated, “The probe into the matter has been handed over to the district Justice of the Peace of Saharanpur. A particular antagonistic entry may even be made towards the workers engaged in serving the meals.”
He added, “Any kind of laxity in offering services to gamers won’t be tolerated. Directions have been issued to all district sports activities officers on this regard.”
Deputy director of the UP sports activities division, RP Singh, has been nominated because the inquiry officer for the disciplinary proceedings instituted towards suspended sports activities officer Saxena. Singh has been instructed to finish the inquiry inside a month and submit a report.
In the meantime, DM Akhilesh Singh claimed that the district sports activities officer “didn’t inform” the administration in regards to the state-level event.
