Harbhajan Singh Advocates for Protection of Sports Grounds from Political Events

Harbhajan Singh's Call to Action

Harbhajan Singh, a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party and former Indian cricket star, has appealed to the Punjab government to refrain from using sports facilities for political gatherings. His concern arose after witnessing the poor condition of a university sports ground that hosted a political event celebrating Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary.

A Disheartening Situation

In a post on X, Harbhajan expressed his disappointment regarding the state of the university ground post-event. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to prevent the use of sports and university grounds for political rallies. He stated, "Mann Sahib, please view this video. Why was the university ground selected for the 'Jashan-e-Inqlab' (Celebration of Revolution)? This sight is truly disheartening. What kind of celebration is this? Facilities meant for athletes have been damaged, and a photo of Bhagat Singh has been discarded among trash. Even Bhagat Singh would be saddened by this situation. I sincerely request you to avoid using sports grounds for political events."

Honoring Bhagat Singh's Legacy

In a subsequent conversation, Harbhajan reiterated that sports grounds should not be compromised for political or religious events, recalling a similar incident in Rupnagar. He questioned the appropriateness of celebrating Bhagat Singh's legacy while allowing his posters to be found in garbage. He emphasized, "We should honor his ideals and keep his memory alive. I posted about this issue because sports grounds, whether at universities or district levels, must be preserved. Previously, I raised concerns about a ground in Rupnagar that was damaged during a government rally. Many athletes voiced their complaints, and I witnessed videos showing the locals' distress over the ground's condition. Now, the university ground has suffered similarly during a celebration of Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary. Is this how we honor him?"

Preserving Sports Infrastructure

Harbhajan Singh stressed the need to protect sports facilities and urged the Punjab government to designate specific areas for political rallies. He remarked, "The ground where this rally occurred has been damaged. Athletes and trainees who rely on this facility for their training—how long will it take to restore it? Reports suggest liquor bottles were found there, and the video evidence shows a deplorable condition. My plea to the government is clear: as a sportsman, keep sports separate from political events. Utilize designated political grounds for rallies. The existing sports infrastructure should not be compromised, especially since previous governments have failed to support sports in Punjab."

A Final Plea

He concluded by reiterating his desire for the preservation of sports facilities, stating, "My request is straightforward: our training grounds for athletes should remain intact, and political rallies should not be held there."