Jammu and Kashmir Sports Minister Satish Sharma on Monday promised an impartial and timely inquiry into the selection of the Santosh Trophy team, a day after the BJP alleged discrimination against the Jammu region and sought his resignation over the matter.
The controversy arose after some players were left out and the opposition BJP, which has a strong base in Jammu, alleged discrimination after the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council released the selection list.
However, the Sports Council has already dismissed the allegations as baseless and stated that the selections were merit-based and transparent.
“Taking cognisance of recent reports and comments by prominent political figures in the UT, the Sports Ministry has ordered a detailed inquiry into the allegations,” the minister said.
"I assure all that any violation of the merit-based selection policy by anyone will invite severe consequences and appropriate punitive measures," the minister said.
On Sunday, BJP spokesperson Rajni Sethi questioned the selection process and alleged that Jammu-based players were not selected, and only players from Kashmir were being selected for the Santosh Trophy team.
“The National Conference government continues to repeatedly hurt the sentiments of the youth of Jammu through biased and discriminatory policies,” she said.
Responding to her allegations, a Sports Council official said the players for the Santosh Trophy were selected through a process that lasted over one-and-a-half months.
The official further said that after the trials, out of 51 players, 32, including eight from the Jammu region, were shortlisted for the residential coaching camp in Jammu from November 21.
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