Barnala Kickboxing Champion Faces Homelessness After Home Demolition
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Puja Rani, a national kickboxing champion from Barnala, Punjab, has been left without shelter after the Barnala Improvement Trust demolished her makeshift home on Friday. This demolition occurred despite Rani's remarkable achievements in national sports competitions, where she represented Punjab with distinction.
From Makeshift Shelter to National Podium
The 20-year-old athlete's journey to sporting excellence began under challenging circumstances. Puja Rani trained for three years without formal coaching or proper facilities, practicing in whatever space she could find near her temporary home. Her determination paid off when she won a gold medal in the under 65 kg event at the National Kickboxing Championship held in Ranchi, Jharkhand from August 23 to 27, 2023.
Remarkably, Rani achieved this victory while living in a small hutment with only a temporary cloth roof on land owned by the Barnala Improvement Trust. Her family, along with approximately 60 other families, had resided in these jhuggis for decades, with the municipal council even numbering the structures and residents possessing valid voter and Aadhar cards.
Continued Success Amidst Adversity
Puja Rani's sporting achievements continued despite her challenging living conditions. In 2025, she secured a silver medal at the national championship held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh from July 16 to 20. Between these national competitions, she accumulated numerous medals at district and state levels, all while pursuing her education as a first-year Bachelor of Arts student at a private college in Barnala.
The young athlete displayed her medals on a small tree branch near her jhuggi, creating an inspiring display that became a source of pride for all residents of the slum community. Both her makeshift home and this symbolic tree were destroyed during the demolition, bringing tears to Rani's eyes before she joined other residents in attempting to stop the bulldozer operation.
Demolition Despite Promises
According to residents, authorities had promised alternative accommodation before proceeding with the demolition. Punjab and other affected families expressed disappointment that these promises were not honored, particularly as they had lived on the land for decades with proper documentation. The Barnala Improvement Trust claimed the land was needed for commercial and residential development plans.
Social activist Bhan Singh Jassi Pedhni, who operated a school in the slum, criticized the authorities' actions. "The government claims to support budding sportspersons, but here they have taken away even the basic shelter from a national champion," he stated, highlighting the irony of the situation given Rani's athletic accomplishments.
Political Response and Community Support
The Barnala Congress, led by MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhillon, strongly condemned the Improvement Trust's actions and demanded that displaced families receive appropriate alternative accommodation. The demolition has sparked broader conversations about housing rights for marginalized communities and support systems for athletes from underprivileged backgrounds.
Puja Rani's story represents both the triumph of human spirit against adversity and the systemic challenges facing athletes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in India. Her determination continues despite the recent setback, as she focuses on her studies and athletic training while seeking stable housing for her family.
