What can be more shameful? Anurag Thakur slams Delhi govt over dog-walking row in stadium

Union youth affairs and sports minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Saturday slammed the Delhi government for not taking action against IAS officers Sanjeev Khirwar and his wife, Rinky Dugga, who had shut down the Thyagraj Stadium before time to be able to walk their dog.

The Union minister said on Saturday in Pune that the Delhi government did nothing and it was only the Centre that transferred the duo to distant places. According to a news report in a daily, which appeared on Thursday (May 26), athletes were being forced to end their practice at the Thygaraj Stadium in New Delhi at 7 pm, which was earlier than usual so that Khirwar, who was Delhi’s principal secretary (revenue) could walk his dog.

Built at a cost of ₹300 crore, the Thygaraj Sports Complex was one of the venues of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Thakur, who was inaugurating the Khashaba Jadhav Sports Complex at Savitribhai Phule Pune University, pointed out that no one should interfere with athletes who win medals for the country. Not my party, not any other party, he asserted.

Also read: Stadiums to stay open till 10 pm: Delhi govt after track is ’emptied’ for IAS officer, dog

“What can be more unfortunate and more shameful that athletes are outside but the IAS officers are walking their dog?” asked the Union minister. He brought up the Delhi incident while talking about how sports grounds should not be idle and competitions should be held one after another. He said that the infrastructure and grounds exist but some “restrictions” come in the way.

Further, he added that the Delhi government had failed to take action against the IAS officers who had forced athletes out of the stadium. But, it was the Centre that transferred the duo to distant places and sent out a clear message that sports grounds are meant for the athletes, he said. Thakur also stressed again that the 27 acre grounds in Pune university were meant for sportspersons. The faculty could also use them but they had to use proper footwear before stepping on the synthetic track, he warned.

After the report appeared in the newspaper of how the IAS officer Khirwar was misusing his position and closing the stadium earlier than usual, the Delhi government had quickly issued an order asking all stadiums to remain open till 10pm. On the same day, however, the Union home ministry issued a transfer order posting Sanjeev Khirwar to Ladakh and Rinku Dugga to Arunachal Pradesh.

The Twitterati reacted to this report asking how it was a punishment posting if both have been shifted to locations known for their natural beauty and offer ample dog-walking opportunities. Some also were curious to know where the dog would be going to: Ladakh or Arunachal?