In a controversial move completely devoid of sportsman spirit, the Congress-ruled Rajasthan Government made sportspersons in the State sign an affidavit stating that they have no links with either the RSS or the Jamat-e-Islami Hind. Not just this, before being given the cash awards, they also had to give an undertaking that in future they would not participate in the activities of these two organisations
Neither the RSS nor the Jamat-e-Islami Hind is a banned organisation and the politically-motivated decision is seen to be primarily targeted at the BJP which has RSS as its ideological mentor.
“The inclusion of Jamat-e-Islami Hind is seemingly an afterthought to ensure the RSS connection is not seen in isolation,” sources said.
RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Dr Manmohan Vaidya said: “We strongly condemn this vindictive attitude of the Rajasthan Government and the Congress. Unless the said organisations are banned, the Rajasthan Government’s decision to take such affidavits from sportspersons is totally unconstitutional, vindictive and politically motivated. The Congress should not bring its politics and personal vendetta in the field of sports.”
The move came to light on Friday at an awards function organised by the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, following which ABVP activists protested at the venue.
The event was called off in a hurry, but by then, some sportspersons like weightlifter Vishal Singh had already given the desired undertaking before accepting the cash incentives.
In all, the RSSC gave more than `2 crores to sportspersons who had achieved success in various sports at the national as well as international level.
The RSSC said it was only following the guidelines of the State Government, but the Sports Department maintained it was the Council that takes a call on the norms.
Sports Minister Mangilal Garasiya claimed that the rule was in place from 1986 and the Government is implementing it now Though Shiv Charan Mali, RSSC Chairman, was not available for comment, Council officials claimed that since 1986, when the order was issued, the State has seen three BJP Governments, which did not withdraw it.
Yunus Khan, former Sports Minister in the previous BJP Government, however, countered this statement, saying that the order was withdrawn during his tenure.
Major SN Mathur, former Chairman of the Council, also said that there was no such order when he was at the helm and sportspersons were not asked to give any kind of undertaking.
Taking strong exception to the order, former secretary of the State unit of the Jamat-e-Islami Hind, Mohammad Nazimudin said it was illegal as the RSS and his own organization were not proscribed outfits. “The Government should withdraw the order,” he demanded.