Wrestler Babita Phogat Claims DSP’s Post, Moves To Court

Wrestler Babita Phogat, who is currently a sub-inspector with the Haryana police, recently approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court requesting them to promote her as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Haryana police under sports quota, the TOI reported.

Babita Kumari, who won India’s first wrestling medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games was appointed as a sub-inspector in Haryana police in 2013. Since her sister, Geeta was also promoted as DSP in October 2016, for similar achievements Babita is now seeking a similar post. Justice Ritu Bahri of the High Court has issued a notice in support of Babita's claim. The hearing is on May 9.

The star wrestler won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games 2018, making it her third consecutive medal at the Games. Babita had clinched the silver medal in the 2010 Delhi CWG in the 51 kg weight class. She bagged a gold medal in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in the 55 kg weight class.

Also Read: Years After String of Feats, Wrestler Family Fights For Their Due

Believes in Girl Power

The Commonwealth gold medallist also launched a wrestling academy in Bengaluru, for girls who want to follow in her footsteps. She has spoken about the kind of confidence every Indian girl should have. “It is important for the girls not to fear about anything. Or else, they will be left far behind. This is one big lesson our father (Dronacharya Mahavir Singh Phogat) taught us right from our childhood. I wish every parent encourages their children, especially girls, to be like that,” she remarked during the FICCI Ladies Organisation event on women empowerment in Hyderabad, the Hindu reported.

There are several popular women sportsperson who serve in government jobs under the sports quota. Here are a few names:

PV Sindhu

Back in 2017, Andhra Pradesh government issued orders appointing badminton ace and Olympic Silver Medallist PV Sindhu as a deputy collector. After she won a silver medal at Rio Olympics, she was promised to be given a sub-collector’s job. At that time, the Andhra and Telangana governments had also awarded her three and five crores cash prizes respectively, and declared a residential plot in her name in Hyderabad. Simultaneously, she was offered a government job, but Sindhu only accepted the prize money. She accepted the job offer only after formally applying for the Group-I officer's post.

Also Read: Soon, You Can See PV Sindhu’s Olympic Win On Silver Screen

The shuttler has been working as an assistant manager (sports) with Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) at its Hyderabad office. She scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman athlete ever to win silver at the Olympics.

Issued an appointment order to @Pvsindhu1 for the post of Group-1 officer. Hopeful that she'll bring more laurels to the country. pic.twitter.com/7xAqv0j5zf

— N Chandrababu Naidu #StayHomeSaveLives (@ncbn) July 27, 2017

Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur's fake certificate row turned out to be an embarrassing controversy over her joining the Punjab Police. However, India’s T20 captain initially accepted the post of a DSP with the Punjab government. Following the controversy, the government said it could take her only as a constable, not as a DSP. Western Railway, where she was employed earlier, also relieved Kaur following her request to join the Punjab Police.

Feature Image Credit: News18

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