Madhya Pradesh: Kabaddi match between boys and girls sparks political row

Bhopal,UPDATED: Aug 31, 2025 17:51 IST

A kabaddi match between boys and girls in Madhya Pradesh’s Niwari district, organised on the occasion of National Sports Day (observed on August 29 each year), has triggered a political controversy after a video of the game went viral on social media. The Congress objected to the event, calling it an act of “indiscipline” and questioning the organisers.

However, the debate took a new turn after the women players themselves dismissed the allegations. The players said the match was played with their consent and there was nothing inappropriate about it.

“We practise with boys even at district and state levels, so there is no question of indiscipline,” one of the players said. Another added that raising questions over the video was “baseless,” stressing that the game was played by choice. They said politicising sports only lowers the morale of athletes.

The BJP hit back at Congress for raising objections, accusing it of dragging sports into politics. BJP leader Anil Pandey said Congress should first clarify its position on its leaders’ controversial remarks instead of targeting players.

Referring to former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Jitu Patwari’s past comments linking women with liquor, Pandey said the party remained silent on that but was now turning a children’s game into a controversy.

"The opposition is unnecessarily politicising sports. The purpose of games is to build discipline and team spirit, not to weaken the confidence of players,” he added.

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