Haryana's Leader of Opposition, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has launched a scathing attack on the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, holding it responsible for the "complete destruction" of sports infrastructure and alleging that its negligence is endangering athletes' lives. This strong accusation follows the tragic deaths of two young basketball players in separate incidents in Bahadurgarh and Lakhanmajra last week.
Statewide Inspections and Demands for Justice
Addressing the media in Chandigarh on Monday, the former chief minister declared that these fatalities were "not accidents but murder due to government negligence." He announced a plan to personally tour stadiums across Haryana after the Congress rally in Delhi on December 14 to document the alleged decay in facilities.
Hooda demanded a high-level investigation into the incidents and strict action against officials found responsible. He also called for immediate government jobs and comprehensive financial support for the grieving families of the two players.
Unused Funds and Deteriorating Legacy
In a specific example of administrative failure, Hooda criticised the government for not utilising a Rs 12 lakh grant provided by MP Deepender Hooda intended for ground improvements. He contrasted the current state of affairs with the past, asserting that "world-class sports facilities built during the previous Congress government have been left to deteriorate."
He claimed that key programs initiated under his tenure, including "Sports Talent Hunts" and "Sports Academies," along with policies for high-ranking job appointments for athletes, were discontinued by the BJP regime. This, he argued, has severely hampered sports development and youth engagement in the state.
Broader Political Critique on SYL, Chandigarh, and Voter List Revision
Expanding his criticism beyond sports, Hooda accused the BJP government of failing on major state issues. He alleged that the administration has not secured Haryana's rightful share of Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water despite Supreme Court directives. He also claimed the BJP has sown confusion among the public regarding the administrative future of Chandigarh.
Furthermore, Hooda commented on the Election Commission's accelerated Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He labelled the process as unnecessarily rushed, suggesting that the pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) has had tragic consequences, alluding to reported suicides. He urged authorities to conduct the revision at a normal, manageable pace.
The opposition leader's statewide inspection plan is set to bring the issue of sports infrastructure and athlete safety into sharp political focus in the coming weeks.
