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‘Casteist’ remarks kick up row at soccer meet
Deepender Deswal
Tribune News Service

Hisar, February 4
Alleged casteist remarks by a Kurukshetra University (KU) football team coach marred the final of the inter-university women championship today. The match was to be played between the KU and reigning champs Vallore University, Tamil Nadu.

The KU players blocked the road outside the university after the police booked their coach following a complaint by a Dalit student leader. Demanding withdrawal of the case against their coach, they initially refused to play the match due to begin at 11 am at Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology today. They also levelled counter-allegations of molestation and demanded police action against some members of the other team.

A spat occurred between KU team coach Manesh Khayalia and GJUST student leader Mandev while sitting near the varsity canteen last evening. While discussing game strategy, the coach reportedly made some casteist remarks that were overheard by Mandev. Mandev lodged a complaint with the varsity authorities and the police after the coach refused to mind his language even after the student leader objected to it. The police booked the coach under the SC/ST Act. The KU team looked quite infuriated this morning and resorted to road blockade demanding withdrawal of the case against its coach. Some KU players accused the complainant student leader of molestation.

They agreed to play the match only after the police assured them to take action on their complaint. SP Sibash Kabiraj said the police had registered FIRs on the complaints of GJUST players.

Not in sportsman spirit

• Kurukshetra University team coach Manesh Khayalia allegedly made some casteist remarks on Monday evening, which were overheard by Dalit student leader Mandev
• Khayalia was booked under the SC/ST Act after Mandev complained to the police and the varsity authorities
• Infuriated KU players blocked the road in front of the varsity, seeking withdrawal of the case against their coach