Yuva Rajput Sabha Threatens Indefinite Hunger Strike Over Sports Quota Jobs Row

Jammu, Jul 18: The Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) on Saturday warned of launching an indefinite hunger strike from July 20 if the Jammu and Kashmir Government fails to address the grievances of outstanding sportspersons over the recently released sports quota recruitment list. Addressing a press conference in Jammu, YRS president Mandeep Singh, along with founder members Rajinder Singh, Rajesh Singh and Ranjeet Singh, said the organisation has given the government 24 hours to take a positive decision regarding the legitimate demands of deserving athletes. “If the government fails to act within the next 24 hours, Yuva Rajput Sabha will begin an indefinite hunger strike from July 20 at the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh near Tawi Bridge,” Singh said. The Sabha alleged discrimination against meritorious sportspersons in the sports quota recruitment process and demanded that government jobs be awarded strictly on the basis of merit, achievements and the existing policy for outstanding athletes. YRS also cautioned that if the administration continues to ignore the issue and any law-and-order situation arises due to public resentment, the responsibility would lie with the government. Former YRS president Vikram Singh Vicky, Bar Association Vice-President Advocate Baldev Singh, World Champion Surya Bhanu Singh, Arjuna Awardee Rakesh Kumar, and other sportspersons were present at the press conference. Several athletes alleged that despite bringing laurels to Jammu and Kashmir and the country, they have been denied employment opportunities under the sports quota. They claimed the Sports Department had failed to ensure a fair and transparent selection process. The Sabha also criticised the silence of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Minister and questioned the inaction of the Sports Department, urging elected representatives, including BJP MLAs from Jammu, to raise the issue. Highlighting the achievements of athletes such as World Champion Surya Bhanu Singh, Arjuna Awardee Rakesh Kumar and Paralympic medallist Sheetal Devi, the Sabha said such sportspersons deserve recognition and timely government support. The controversy stems from the final sports quota selection list issued on June 10 under Notification No. 02-JK (YSS) of 2026, which sparked protests across Jammu and Kashmir. The Department of Youth Services and Sports had earlier received over 200 objections from around 95 applicants and non-applicants following the publication of the provisional selection list in February. Earlier this month, the J&K Sports Council defended the recruitment process, stating that appointments of outstanding sportspersons are governed by statutory rules and government orders framed after due legal and administrative scrutiny.