Following China’s decision to deny entry to three Wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh, the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has cancelled his visit to China for the Asian Games. The Ministry of External Affairs too gave out a detailed statement condemning China’s decision.
Also Read: China DENIES travel clearance to Arunachal wushu players for Asian Games
India protests against China’s via refusal to players from Arunachal Pradesh
“As a mark of our protest against the Chinese action, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports of India has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Games,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said in an official statemen. He added that India reserved the right to take measures to safeguard its interests.
The Ministry of External Affairs said that a protest had been lodged in New Delhi and Beijing. “A strong protest has been lodged against China’s deliberate and selective obstruction of some of our sportspersons. China’s action violates both the spirit of the Asian Games and the rules governing their conduct, which explicitly prohibits discrimination against competitors from member states,” Bagchi said.
“Government of India has learnt that the Chinese authorities have, in a targeted and pre-meditated manner, discriminated against some of the Indian sportspersons from the state of Arunachal Pradesh by denying them accreditation and entry to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China” he said.
“In line with our long-standing and consistent position, India firmly rejects differential treatment of Indian citizens on the basis of domicile or ethnicity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India,” Arindam Bagchi added.
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Wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh stranded in India
Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu, two of the Wushu players, were approved to take part at the Asian Games. The Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 Organising Committee has sent them the accreditation cards. However, they were unable to download the cards – which act as visas to enter China. Meanwhile, the third athlete Nyeman Wangsu has managed to download her accreditation. She was however not allowed to travel beyond Hong Kong. The athletes were to take part in individual events of the martial arts sport.
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