JAMMU, Jul 18: Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) today held a press conference in front of the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh at Tawi Bridge, demanding justice for outstanding sportspersons of Jammu and urging the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to provide employment strictly on the basis of merit and sporting achievements.
The press conference was led by YRS President Mandeep Singh Rimpy, who was joined by the Founder Members Rajinder Singh, Rajesh Singh and Ranjeet Singh, core committee members, and other office bearers and volunteers of the Sabha. Several eminent personalities, including former YRS President Vikram Singh Vicky, Rajan Singh (Happy), Bar Association Vice President Adv. Baldev Singh, and distinguished sportspersons World Champion Surya Bhanu Singh, Arjuna Awardee Rakesh Kumar, and other athletes, were also present.
Addressing the media, the Yuva Rajput Sabha expressed serious concern over what it described as discrimination against deserving sportspersons from Jammu. The Sabha demanded that athletes be granted government jobs according to their achievements, merit, and the policies meant for outstanding sportspersons, without bias or discrimination.
The participating athletes shared their grievances before the media and alleged that the Sports Department had failed to treat deserving players fairly. They stated that despite bringing laurels to Jammu & Kashmir and the nation, many accomplished athletes continue to be deprived of employment opportunities commensurate with their achievements.
The Sabha also questioned the silence of the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Minister, Satish Sharma, alleging that the continued inaction of the Sports Department, especially Secretary to the Government for the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Nuzhat Gul has ignoring the genuine and legitimate demands of the sporting community.
Speaking on the occasion, the YRS leadership said that if the government continues to neglect the future of Jammu’s talented athletes, the people will be compelled to question the purpose of electing their representatives. The Sabha also raised questions over the silence of the BJP’s 29 MLAs from Jammu, urging them to strongly represent the aspirations and concerns of the people of the region.
Highlighting the achievements of internationally acclaimed athletes such as World Champion Surya Bhanu Singh, Arjuna Awardee Rakesh Kumar, and Paralympic medalist and international archer Sheetal Devi, the Sabha asserted that these sportspersons have brought immense pride to Jammu & Kashmir and deserve recognition, respect, and timely government support.
Issuing a strong warning, the YRS announced that if the government fails to take a positive decision within the next 24 hours regarding the future and legitimate demands of these deserving sportspersons, the organization will launch an indefinite hunger strike from Monday, July 20, at the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh, Tawi Bridge.
The Sabha appealed to the government to act responsibly and ensure justice for the athletes. It further stated that if the administration continues to ignore the issue and any law-and-order situation arises due to public resentment, the responsibility would rest entirely with the government.