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Ritu Negi’s Omission From Himachal Award List Sparks Row
Ritu Negi is a kabaddi player from Himachal Pradesh who helped India win gold at the Asian Games.
The Himachal government announced cash prizes for several athletes, but Negi’s name was later left off the award list.
Negi said this made her feel insulted.
She said she has represented Himachal in competitions even though she works for Indian Railways and is married in Haryana.
Her father asked whether marriage in another state should change where she belongs.
BJP figures also criticized the decision.
The report says Negi had received a Himachal cash award after the 2023 Asian Games.
The government’s reason for removing her name was not stated in the article.
Himachal Pradesh removed kabaddi player Ritu Negi from its list of athletes eligible for a ₹1 crore cash award.
Negi was part of India’s gold-winning women’s kabaddi team at the Asian Games in Japan.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had announced ₹1 crore awards for three Himachal kabaddi players and cricketer Renuka Thakur.
Negi said she was insulted, noting she has represented Himachal in domestic competitions despite working for Indian Railways and being married in Haryana.
Her father and BJP figures criticized the omission, describing it as an affront to Himachal’s daughter and state pride.
- Who
- Kabaddi player Ritu Negi, her father Bhavan Singh Negi, and Himachal Pradesh government officials.
- What
- Negi was omitted from the announced list of athletes eligible for a ₹1 crore cash award, prompting criticism.
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, including Shillai in Sirmaur district; Negi is married in Panipat, Haryana.
- When
- The controversy followed the government’s October 5 award announcement; the article gives no year.
- Why
- The government’s reason for removing Negi’s name was not provided; she and critics questioned the decision because she has represented Himachal.
Criticism of the omission
Government position
Negi’s eligibility and state connection
Criticism of the omission
Negi, her father and BJP critics argued that she should be recognized because she is from Himachal and has represented the state in domestic competitions.
Government position
The article reports that the government removed her name but does not provide its explanation or position on her eligibility.
Key facts
- Athlete
- Ritu Negi, Arjuna Awardee and former captain of India’s kabaddi team
- Asian Games result
- Member of India’s gold-winning women’s kabaddi squad
- Announced award
- ₹1 crore cash award
- Other named kabaddi recipients
- Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhawna Thakur
- Other named recipient
- Cricketer Renuka Thakur
- Negi’s employment
- Indian Railways
- Negi’s home region
- Shillai, Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh
Quotes
Ritu Negi
Indian kabaddi player and former captain of the national team
“Until a week ago, I was a daughter of Himachal and the CM shared a congratulatory message on Facebook, while former CM Jairam Thakur and Member of Parliament Anurag Thakur had called to congratulate me.”
thehansindia.com
“I simply cannot understand what changed so suddenly two days ago.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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