Today, 28th November, The Supreme Court criticized the Himachal Pradesh government for denying employment to a 2014 Asian Games gold medalist, emphasizing the state’s obligation to honor its commitment to athletes who bring pride to the nation. The Court noted that such actions could demoralize sportspersons and undermine their dedication. It directed the state to rectify the situation promptly, ensuring the athlete receives the promised job, and warned of serious consequences for non-compliance.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court questioned the Himachal Pradesh government for allegedly denying employment to Asian Games gold medallist Pooja Thakur under the sports quota.
A bench consisting of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih expressed disapproval of Thakur’s prolonged struggle for employment, stating,
“This is how you encourage sports persons? Someone who won a gold medal in the Asian Games of 2014; your chief minister should have a pragmatic approach… This is the approach of the state while dealing with sports persons.”
As a result, the Supreme Court dismissed the Himachal Pradesh government’s appeal against Thakur’s appointment as an excise and taxation officer, effective from the date of her application to the chief minister in July 2015. Thakur secured a gold medal in kabaddi at the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, and also won a silver medal at the 2015 National Games.
The state government had challenged a 2023 order from a high court division bench that upheld a single judge’s directive for Thakur’s appointment.
The division bench declined to interfere with the single judge’s ruling, which instructed the authorities to appoint her to the Department of Excise and Taxation from the date of her application, granting her all associated benefits, including seniority.
The high court noted that state authorities were displeased with Thakur for approaching them regarding a class-I post through two original applications, expressing their annoyance.
It stated,
“It is highly unreasonable on the part of the appellants to seek to deny the benefit granted by the learned single judge… of being appointed against the post of excise and taxation officer from the date she submitted her application to the then chief minister in July 2015.”
The Asian Games is a multi-sport event held every four years, featuring athletes from across Asia. Organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), it is one of the largest sporting events in the world, second only to the Olympics.
The games include a wide range of sports, including traditional disciplines like athletics and swimming, as well as region-specific ones like sepak takraw and kabaddi. The first Asian Games were held in 1951 in New Delhi, India, and the event promotes unity and sportsmanship among Asian nations.
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