Champions or sweepers? Athletes having it tough in Bihar police jobs

What’s the story?

National athletes are forced to work as sweepers in the Police force to earn their salary. Shocking, isn’t it? Mohini Kumari, is a constable with Bihar Military Police’s women's battalion.

She is an athlete with national recognition and bagged a job for that. The problem started soon after. She was given a job of a sweeper in Rohtas. She has represented the state of Bihar in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Kerala in the All India Police Athlete Championship. She is a postgraduate from Indira Gandhi National Open University and but is now forced to do a sweeper’s job to earn her daily bread. The most unfortunate thing is, Mohini is not the only one who is going through the turmoil.

The context

Athletes do get government jobs, but it is rather unfortunate when they are forced to do menial labour. All these constables have won medals in national-level championships and then have to face such apathy from the government.

The heart of the matter

There is no proper explanation for such a scenario. Khushboo, another athlete, who graduated from Tika Manjhi University, Bhagalpur is facing the same predicament.

She also carries great repute with her and was enrolled to the National Institute of Sports (NIS). Khushboo has been appointed as a constable. Meanwhile, her friend, Rita Kumari is another such example. Rita is also a graduate and grabbed eyes of many in the 4th and 5th All India Police Archery Championship in Nagaland and Ranchi, respectively.

What’s next

As many as 681 athletes face similar predicament. Out of them, 42 girls are postgraduates and 247 are graduates, while many others have done some kind of professional training or the other.

Author’s take:

This is an immensely a sad scenario and needs to be changed immediately. The government should look into the matter and bring about a change for the betterment of these athletes.