Harbhajan Singh Offers to Restore Ropar College Playground Amid Controversy
Political Controversy Surrounds Ropar College Playground
The debate regarding the alleged damage to the historic sports ground at Government College, Ropar, has escalated into a political issue following the AAP government's organization of the 'Ek Sham Shiv Ke Nam' religious event. Harbhajan Singh, a former Indian cricketer and current Rajya Sabha MP, has entered the fray, publicly pledging to restore the playground if the Punjab Government does not take action.
The event, which took place on Wednesday evening, was attended by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Harbhajan, who recently aligned with the BJP, made his offer via a social media post in Punjabi, stating, "Koi na, hosla rakho dosto. Je Punjab Government theek nahi karvaigi ground nu, tusi mainu dasso, main theek karva ke devan ga. Punjab nu dubara khed dian bulandian te dekhna chahunda haan." (Don't worry friends. If the Punjab Government fails to repair the ground, let me know, and I will ensure it gets restored. I want to see Punjab regain its sporting glory.)
This tweet has reignited political discussions around an issue that has already drawn significant opposition from the Government College Old Students Association and current students, who claim that the sports infrastructure was damaged during the religious event.
In a formal complaint to the DC Ropar, the alumni expressed their deep respect for religious and cultural events but emphasized that the college sports ground should not be utilized for non-sporting activities involving heavy equipment, vehicles, and large crowds, as these can harm the playing surface and overall sports infrastructure. They noted that similar damage had occurred previously when a circus was held on the grounds and called for strict measures to protect the facility.
The matter holds particular emotional weight for alumni, as the sports complex was revitalized through a community-led restoration initiative nearly twenty years ago.
Daljeet Singh Bhangu, a former SDM of Ropar and an alumnus of Government College, spearheaded a significant karsewa campaign from 2000 to 2004 to reclaim the 13-acre playground, which had become a marsh due to years of neglect and sewage issues. With the backing of the Old Students Association, Baba Avtar Singh, local business owners, and numerous volunteers, sewage was redirected, the ground was leveled, and the entire sports complex was restored through community effort and donations.
Bhangu noted that the restoration, which government estimates had valued at around Rs 1.20 crore, was completed through community participation for only about Rs 4.60 lakh, covering costs for diesel and sewage repairs. The revitalized complex now features a national-level cricket ground, an athletic track, and various sports facilities that are utilized daily by countless students and athletes.
Harbhajan's involvement is viewed as politically significant, especially as the Opposition has been accusing the AAP government of neglecting public sports infrastructure. BJP leaders have criticized the decision to host the religious event at the college ground, claiming that a cherished sports facility, painstakingly restored by the community, has been compromised.
With Harbhajan now publicly offering his support for the restoration of the playground, the issue has transcended a local administrative matter, evolving into a broader political controversy that places additional pressure on the Punjab Government to address the damage.