Srinagar: The controversy surrounding the recently announced SO-12 Outstanding Sportspersons Government Jobs List in Jammu & Kashmir continues to dominate sporting circles, with protests particularly emerging from Jammu over the exclusion of celebrated Wushu internationals Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh and Rajinder Singh.
Given their outstanding international achievements, many have questioned how two of Jammu & Kashmir’s most decorated Wushu athletes failed to make the final selection list.
However, a closer examination of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir Notification SO-12 dated January 6, 2022, reveals that their exclusion appears to have been made in accordance with the provisions of the existing rules rather than through any discretionary decision of the J&K Sports Council.
Government Notification SO-12 and the Doping Clause
The recruitment rules governing appointment of outstanding sportspersons were notified vide Government Notification SO-12 issued by the General Administration Department on January 6, 2022, under powers conferred by Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
The notification clearly lays down the conditions under which an outstanding sportsperson becomes ineligible for appointment.
Clause 4(a) of SO-12 states:
An outstanding sportsperson shall be ineligible for appointment if he or she:
“is found guilty of sports-related misconduct like doping, sexual harassment and abuse, competitive manipulation.”
Unlike several other government policies, the notification does not distinguish between athletes currently serving bans and those who have already completed their suspensions. The provision simply treats a finding of guilt in a doping offence as a ground for disqualification.
This clause appears to have become the primary reason behind the exclusion of the two Wushu stars.
False Undertaking Also Raises Questions
Apart from the doping clause, another issue has reportedly surfaced during scrutiny of applications.
According to sources familiar with the process, applicants under the SO-12 scheme were required to submit an undertaking declaring whether they had ever been found guilty of a doping offence.
Both Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh and Rajinder Singh are understood to have marked “No” against this declaration despite having previously undergone anti-doping proceedings and serving suspensions.
If established, such a declaration could amount to submission of a false undertaking, which itself can invite disqualification irrespective of sporting achievements.
Distinguished Careers Cannot Be Ignored
The controversy becomes emotionally charged because both athletes have brought immense glory to India and Jammu & Kashmir over the years.
Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh
Born in Jammu in 1995, Surya Bhanu Pratap created history by becoming Jammu & Kashmir’s first-ever Asian Games medalist in Wushu, winning the bronze medal in the 60 kg Sanda category at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
His achievements also include:
Bronze medal at the 2015 World Wushu Championships
Gold medal at the Moscow Wushu Stars Tournament
Numerous international representations for India
Rajinder Singh
Hailing from Samba district, Rajinder Singh has remained one of India’s leading heavyweight Wushu fighters.
His achievements include:
Bronze medal at the 2017 World Wushu Championships
Long-time member of the Indian national Wushu team
Multiple international representations
There is little dispute regarding their contribution to Indian sport.
The Doping Cases
Both athletes were involved in separate anti-doping cases detected by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) following events in 2018.
Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh
He tested positive for the prohibited stimulants Mephentermine and Phentermine during out-of-competition testing conducted at the 9th Sanda World Cup in Hangzhou, China.
The IWUF Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel imposed a four-year period of ineligibility, effective from June 27, 2019, to June 27, 2023.
Rajinder Singh
Rajinder Singh also tested positive in an international anti-doping test conducted after the 2018 Asian Games.
While his case was handled jointly by the International Wushu Federation and the Wushu Association of India, he reportedly contested the findings citing prescribed medication.
Both athletes have since completed their suspensions and have returned to the sport.
Policy Needs Review, Not Personal Attacks
While the present rules appear to justify their exclusion, many believe the policy itself now deserves reconsideration.
Internationally, athletes who complete anti-doping sanctions are generally rehabilitated into competitive sport after serving their punishment. The present SO-12 rules, however, leave no room for such rehabilitation when it comes to government employment.
There is therefore a genuine case for the Government to consider amending the notification so that athletes who have completed their sanctioned period and returned to clean competition may also become eligible for appointment.
Such an amendment, however, can only be made by the Government through modification of the existing rules.
Responsibility Lies with the Policy
The ongoing protests have largely targeted the J&K Sports Council and its Secretary.
However, the composition of the Selection Committee itself indicates that the Sports Council Secretary is only one of six members.
The committee comprises:
Chief Secretary – Chairman
Administrative Secretary, Home Department
Administrative Secretary, Youth Services & Sports
Administrative Secretary, General Administration Department
Director, Youth Services & Sports
Secretary, J&K Sports Council
The eligibility criteria are governed by the SO-12 notification framed by the Government, leaving little discretion to the committee if an applicant falls within the disqualification provisions.
Amendment Is the Only Way Forward
If the sporting fraternity believes athletes who have completed their anti-doping punishment deserve a second opportunity for government employment, the solution lies not in blaming officials implementing the rules but in seeking an amendment to the policy itself.
Such a representation would have to be made before the Lieutenant Governor and the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, which alone possesses the authority to amend the provisions of Notification SO-12.
Editorial View
As a matter of personal opinion, both Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh and Rajinder Singh have brought immense pride to Jammu & Kashmir and India through their international achievements and deserve recognition commensurate with their contribution.
However, under the present wording of the SO-12 Rules notified on January 6, 2022, their exclusion appears to be based on the existing legal framework rather than an arbitrary administrative decision.
If their inclusion is to become possible in future, the answer lies in policy reform—not in targeting those entrusted with implementing the rules.
Author’s Note:
For the record, I am myself one of those affected in the ongoing controversy, with my name figuring in the police complaint filed in connection with the matter. However, personal involvement does not change the facts.
As a journalist, my responsibility is to present the facts as they exist under the current rules and available records. The analysis in this article is based on the provisions of Government Notification SO-12 and the applicable policy, irrespective of my own position in the controversy.
That said, I will continue to raise my voice against any injustice and advocate for the legitimate rights and welfare of sportspersons. Where policies require correction or reform, they should be amended through due process so that deserving athletes receive fair treatment while the rule of law is upheld.
