Anurag Thakur Cancels China Visit in Protest as Indian Athletes Denied Entry to Asian Games
Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur cancels trip to China for Asian Games over denial of entry to Indian Wushu team. India protests China’s discrimination.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur, has decided not to visit China for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. This decision comes as a strong protest against China’s refusal to grant accreditation and entry to the Indian Wushu team for the prestigious sports event.
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, stated, “The Government of India has learned that Chinese authorities have intentionally discriminated against Indian athletes from the state of Arunachal Pradesh. They have denied them accreditation and entry to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.”
He further emphasized, “India firmly opposes any differential treatment of its citizens based on their place of domicile or ethnicity. Arunachal Pradesh has always been and will remain an integral part of India.”
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The Indian government has taken this matter seriously and lodged a strong protest both in New Delhi and Beijing against China’s selective obstruction of Indian athletes. This action by China goes against the principles of the Asian Games and their regulations, which explicitly forbid discrimination against participants from member countries.
In response to these developments, Minister Thakur has canceled his visit to China for the Asian Games. The Indian government has also asserted its right to take appropriate measures to protect its interests.
Three Wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh have been unable to travel to Hangzhou, China for the Asian Games due to the lack of clearance from Chinese authorities.
Kiren Rijiju, the Minister for Earth Sciences and a Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, strongly condemned China’s actions. He stated, “I strongly condemn this act by China, denying visas to our Wushu athletes from Arunachal Pradesh who were supposed to participate in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. This not only violates the spirit of sports but also the rules governing the conduct of the Asian Games, which explicitly prohibit discrimination against competitors from member states.”
He also highlighted, “Arunachal Pradesh is not a disputed territory; it is an integral part of India. The people of Arunachal Pradesh vehemently oppose any unlawful claims by China on its territory and its people. The International Olympic Committee should intervene and address China’s unjust actions.”
-IANS
