Is the Sports Authority of India to blame?
By Dileep Thekkethil
BENGALURU: The condition of three rowing athletes in Kerala still remain critical after they consumed “Othalanga”, a poisonous fruit, after an alleged ragging incident by senior players in the sports hostel which is under the supervision of Sports Authority of India.
According to the latest medical report from Alappuzha Medical College, two of the three athletes are on pacemaker; the condition of all three remain highly critical. The team of doctors are also in consultation with counterparts at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi via video conference to discuss different ways to revive all three from the current state.
The government of Kerala, which has offered to give full medical aid for the girls, had earlier asked the opinion of doctors to air lift all three to AIIMS but, the doctors ruled out this suggestion citing that their current condition could worsen even with the slightest of movement. The government also said that if needed it will ask the union ministry to send a team of experts from Delhi.
The director of Sports Authority of India, I Sreenivas, who is currently camping in Alappuzha, said that the priority is to save the lives of the athletes. The home minister of Kerala, Ramesh Chennithala, said that he visited the parents of the girls and promised assistance.
One of the girls admitted to the hospital was a member of the team that won gold medal in the recently concluded National Games.
The Sports Ministry of India has ordered a probe into the incident that led to the girls consuming the poisonous fruit. Preliminary enquiry has revealed ragging as a possible reason for instigating the girls to commit suicide.
Four girls were found unconscious in their hostel room on Wednesday night and were soon rushed to the hospital. Doctors confirmed the death of 15-year-old Aparna Ramachandran on Thursday and said the other three athletes are in serious condition.
K Brawen, a relative of the deceased girl was quoted by The Hindustan Times, saying, “We have complained about the ill-treatment meted out to athletes by seniors. But nobody listened.”
Sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal told reporters, “I am deeply aggrieved by the incident in Kerala… If anyone from SAI is found guilty, strictest possible action will be taken.”
The issue was also raised in the parliament on Thursday with members demanding an immediate probe into the matter. MB Rajesh, MP, CPI (M) said such incidents should never happen again and the government should take adequate measures to improve the condition of the sports hostel.