Young wrestlers face humiliation: made to sit near toilet at Nationals, outrage erupts

Bhubaneswar (The Uttam Hindu): A case of gross negligence and inhuman treatment has come to light with the promising players of Odisha who had gone to participate in the 69th National School Wrestling Championship held in Uttar Pradesh. These children who had set out to bring glory to the state were not even given respect, let alone a proper journey. Due to the alleged mismanagement of the Mass Education Department, 18 young players, including 10 boys and 8 girls, had to travel in the general compartment of the train in the severe cold, sitting near the toilet and on the floor. It is alleged that the department did not arrange confirmed tickets for these players in time.

A video of this plight is rapidly going viral on social media, sparking outrage across Odisha. The video clearly shows small children sitting in miserable conditions near the train toilet. Sports fans and parents have raised sharp questions about why these children, representing the state on the national stage, were subjected to such second-class treatment. People say this incident not only exposes administrative insensitivity but also shows that the system holds young talent in high regard.

Politics has also heated up over this issue. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Dev strongly condemned the incident, calling it a failure of the "double-engine government." Launching a scathing attack, she said it was shameful and that the government had failed in just 17 months. The MP, becoming emotional, said, "What impact will this have on the innocent minds of the children who traveled on the train sitting near the bathroom? Parents raise their children with love and affection. If you can't transport them with respect, then don't transport them, but don't insult them like this." She questioned whether any officer would allow his children to travel in this manner, sitting near the toilet.

Sulata Dev also targeted Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, asking, "He himself is from Odisha. Was he unaware that the children didn't have reservations?" The MP suggested that the children's parents should file a case against the department and send show-cause notices to the officials. She said that after such mental torture, the children will not be able to play properly, let alone expect medals. Currently, the School and Public Education Department has not issued any official clarification on this matter, but the public demands strict action against the guilty officials so that such negligence does not happen to the players in the future.