Monika back, demands justice
‘I am a victim of politics in sports’
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 17 : Describing herself as a victim of politics in Indian sports, Manipuri weightlifter Laishram Monika, whose last minute omission from the Indian Olympic squad for ongoing Beijing Olympics, 2008 on alleged charge of failing a dope test causing wide-spread protest and raising question on the efficiency and sincerity of the officials of the Sports Authority of India, has demanded punishment of all those involved in the dirty politics.
Speaking at a reception function hosted in her honour at the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Sanglen at Palace Compound here today, Monika, who arrived at Imphal today said ‘‘I could not take part in the Olympic Games as a result of politics in Indian sports. All those who are responsible for framing false charges against me should be pulled up and given befitting punishment’’.
The reception function was organised by the Co-ordinating Committee Against Monika’s Withdrawal from Beijing Olympic, 2008 after Monika was accorded a hero’s welcome at the airport as well as all along the roads of Imphal by the people of the State.
Monika said ‘I never knew politics in Indian sports would be so dirty to the extent of forcing an innocent player but able who had work hard for the Olympics to be omitted at the last minute by framing false charges’.
‘The stand taken by the people of my State Manipur for a victimised player like me is simply overwhelming’’, she said with tears, while seeking the continued support of the people in finding out the truth and punishment of the guilty persons.
From the side of the Co-ordinating Committee it was made clear that there has been no charge in stand on the various resolutions adopted during a public meeting convened by it on August 11 in connection with the case of Monika. Among the resolutions, the meeting decided to call a general strike in Manipur with effect from 5 am of August 19 to 5 am of the follo- wing day besides launching various intense agita- tions in case the Government of India does not apo-logise to the people of Mani- pur on the issue of Monika by August 17 (today).
Among those who spoke at the reception function, Ibotombi, ex-secretary of ACOAM-Lup said the discriminatory attitude of the Government of India towards the people of Mani- pur should not be condoned. All those who are behind the conspiracy of not allowing Monika to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games should be punished and let the truth be prevailed.
M Memchoubi, president of Poirei Leimarol Mei- ra Paibi Apunba, Manipur demanded to know why the Sports Minister of Manipur has not resigned from his post despite knowing the wrongdoings of the Government of India.
‘‘If the Sports Minister is really concerned about the welfare of the sports-persons of Manipur, then he ought to resign and let the Government of India know about it through action’’, Memchoubi said.
AK Janaki, president of MEEKHOL questioned whether the people of Manipur should continue to remain quite against the discriminatory attitude of the Government of India.
Monika’s case is not the first instance in which the Government of India has discriminated the Manipuri players in sending them to International sporting events where they could compete with their counterparts, she said, adding that it is because of the silence maintained by the people of Manipur in the past against such discrminations that the case of Monika has come about.
‘‘We should not remain quite anymore so that such incidents do not recur in the future’’, she exhorted the gathering.
E Binoykumar, president of Manipur Olympic Association observed that it is the target of every sportspersons who put in years of work hard to participate in the Olympic Games. So belittling the target of Monika and the manner in which she was omitted from the Beijing Olympic by some people should be taken as a insult to the people of Manipur as a whole.
Maintaining that the incident of Monika would discourage many upcoming sportspersons, Binoykumar also demanded that all those who are involved in the case should be given befitting punishment.
Representatives of many civil organisations also spoke at the reception function attended by many sportspersons.
Meanwhile, Co-ordinating Committee has informed that a press conference, which would also be attended by Monika, would be held at Manipur Press Club tomorrow. During the press conference, the Co-ordinating Committee would be announcing its further course of action to be taken up.
Manipur wept, of course, for the girl who returned home wounded by a “discrimination” that robbed her of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Tears flowed uninhibited as Monika wove her way through the sea of people — coaches, players, members of sport and citizens’ organisations — who had waited outside the airport for a glimpse of the weightlifter who let out a gut-wrenching cry after stoically accepting a few garlands.
“I had never wished to come back in this manner empty handed. I had always wanted to bring you a medal. I could not fulfil your dreams because of discrimination by India’s sports authorities,” she said.
“I ran from pillar to post in Delhi. No one listened to my pleas and cries. A great injustice was done to me.”
Scores greeted the weightlifter as her convoy snaked through Imphal, but all Monika could afford was silent tears.
Monika broke down again while addressing a reception at Iboyaima Shumang Lila Shanglen here.
“I am urging the people of Manipur to fight on behalf of me and bring the guilty who conspired against me to book,” she pleaded going down on her knees.
She sat there, arms heavenward, as Manipur wept silently.
As the crowd began to chant “Long live Monika”, “Long live Manipur”, Monika wept inconsolably.
E. Binoykumar Singh, president of Manipur Olympic Association, later lauded Monika for her courage to fight back against “discrimination”.
“Manipuri players will one day demonstrate that we can not be suppressed. Monika is taking the lead in the fight,” Binoykumar Singh said.
The Co-ordinating Committee Against Conspiracy to Exclude Monika from Bejing Olympics, that organised the reception, reaffirmed its decision of not participating in national and international games.
It also reaffirmed its decision taken on August 11 of giving New Delhi time till August 17 to tender an apology to the people of Manipur and also book those who conspired against Monika.
A 24-hour general strike from 5am on Tuesday throughout Manipur will be enforced by the committee.
After the reception, Monika left for her Nachou home in Bishnupur district in the afternoon.
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