Haryana Minister Anil Vij donates Rs. 50 lakh to Dera Sachha Sauda, kicks up Row

Mangalore Today News Network

Chandigarh, Aug 29, 2016:  Haryana sports minister Anil Vij kicked up a row after he announced a donation of Rs. 50 lakh from his discretionary funds to Sirsa-based sect Dera Sacha Sauda for promoting rural games.

 

Mr Vij, who attended an indoor games festival oraganised by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim,’ said the money will help create better infrastructure for games in rural areas. This institute has given good players."

The minister praised the Dera Chief for creating sports facilities and said, "I hope in the next Olympics, players from this institute win medals for the country."

The state government claims the Dera is promoting traditional rural games like kabaddi, kho kho, wrestling and the financial aid will help sports activity in the state.

But the opposition is not amused at the largesse extended to the one of the richest religious sect in the state.

Reacting to the announcement of donation, Congress’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala today said, "I haven’t seen all angles of this story. All political parties are on the side of money being donated to encourage sports. Anil Vij has to consider his decision about attachment to people."

Notably, all the games played inside the academy are created by Gurmeet Ram Rahim himself and are not played at national or international level.

The sports minister had drawn a lot of criticism for visiting Rio Olympic games with a team of lawmakers and officials on state exchequer of Rs. 1 crore for ’cheering’ Haryana players

The controversial dera had announced its support to BJP in the assembly polls, a key factor which tilted odds in its favour resulting in its historic victory.