Jammu, Aug 13: The sportspersons’ protest led by Ranjodh Singh continued as their indefinite hunger strike entered 7th day in Jammu on Thursday against the alleged irregularities in the final selection list for appointments in government departments under the sports quota.
These sportspersons, protesting near the Maharaja Hari Singh statue, are demanding a CBI probe into the irregularities, fixing responsibility on every official and individual involved in allegedly manipulating the selection process.
Objecting to the existing SO-12 list, they are questioning the fairness of the selection process. To substantiate their point, they wondered how four out of five gazetted appointments were made from a single category-B non-Olympic discipline and how 72 beneficiaries belonged to one assembly constituency.
“These irregularities pointed towards favouritism, denying deserving sportspersons their rightful opportunities. Deserving athletes who won medals in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Paralympics and other recognised international events have been deliberately ignored or denied gazetted appointments,” they allege, adding that instead, preference was allegedly given to individuals from sporting disciplines that were not recognised in these premier international competitions.
Ranjodh, a judo player, as per his social media profile, is vice president Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC) and chairman Sports Cell PYC, J&K.
While speaking to media persons, he stated that he would continue his hunger strike until their demands were met. “Even if I’m hospitalised, the hunger strike and protest will be continued by other protesting sportspersons. It is unfortunate that so far no one from the government has approached us,” Singh said.
Several political leaders, including those from Congress and BJP have extended their support to protesting sportspersons.
The protests among the sportspersons erupted after the issuance of Jammu and Kashmir government’s selection list dated June 10, 2026 for appointment of outstanding sports persons under S O 12 of 2022.
The protesting sports persons are seeking examination of all amendments to the Rules and the methodology adopted for awarding points; investigation into alleged procedural irregularity or manipulation and a transparent, merit-based sports recruitment policy protecting the interests of athletes across all recognised disciplines.
