Chandigarh – The Punjab Government has, following tension over sacrilegious incidents over the past few days, cancelled the sixth edition of the World Kabaddi Cup scheduled to be held in the state from November 14 to 28.
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds the sports portfolio, announced the cancellation of the sports event here today. “An emergent decision has been taken and the kabaddi cup cancelled after deliberations on the sensitive issue of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib,” he said. But sources said the government, which has been finding it tough to tackle the sacrilege issue, was in no mood to give any averse indication to any quarter by holding a sports event at a time when Punjab is virtually on the boil.
Sukhbir, however, said kabaddi showcased the high spirits of the Punjabis and their resolve to excel in every field, particularly in rural sports. “Holding of such an event is not appropriate when the Sikh community is passing through a sense of grief over the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib,” he said. He said the Punjabi community had got hurt and was outraged over the recent incidents.
“My feelings too have been bruised and my conscience is not allowing me to preside over any sports event when the Sikhs in India and abroad are passing through a period of grief,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.