From champion shooter to reluctant politician: Jaspal Rana’s unfulfilled public journey

Dehradun: Jaspal Rana rarely missed his mark in the shooting range. Hailing from little-known Chilamu village in Uttarakhand’s Tehri Garhwal district, the Asian Games gold medallist, world-record holder and later a mentor to Olympic medallists, the ace shooter entered politics carrying the stature of one of India’s most accomplished sportspersons.

Yet, unlike his glittering sporting career, his political innings in Uttarakhand remained short, turbulent and ultimately unfulfilled.Born into a politically influential family, Rana entered active politics through the BJP. His father, Narayan Singh Rana, a former ITBP officer, was a senior BJP member and served as Uttarakhand’s first sports minister after the state’s formation. Riding on his popularity as a sporting icon, Rana was fielded by BJP from the Tehri Lok Sabha seat in the 2009 general election.His campaign attracted considerable attention, but Rana failed to convert his sporting fame into poll success, losing to Congress candidate Vijay Bahuguna, who went on to become the state’s chief minister.That was the only time Rana contested.His political journey took an unexpected turn ahead of the 2012 assembly polls when differences over ticket distribution led him to quit BJP for Congress. The move surprised many as it pitted him in the opposite camp.

His father went on to contest the 2012 state election on a BJP ticket.Although the Congress tried to project him as a star campaigner, Rana could never emerge as a frontline politician. He thereafter gradually withdrew himself from active politics.Recalling the sporting hero’s 2009 Lok Sabha campaign, BJP’s Tehri Garhwal district president Uday Singh Rawat said: “He had a strong desire to work for the people of Tehri and contribute to the region’s progress.

His death is a personal loss for all of us. Through his sporting feats, he brought global fame and recognition to our region.”Away from competitive shooting, Rana devoted much of his time to coaching and talent development through his shooting academy in Dehradun. The academy became a hub for aspiring marksmen and women from Uttarakhand and beyond.Describing his death at the age of 49 an “irreparable loss”, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in a message said Rana’s historic achievements and contribution to nurturing young talents had brought glory to India and would continue to inspire future generations.