Jammu: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday questioned the Jammu and Kashmir government’s recruitment of Outstanding Sportspersons under S.O. 12 of 2022, alleging irregularities in the selection process and demanding a time-bound independent inquiry.
Addressing a press conference, BJP J&K Chief Spokesperson Sunil Sethi and former MLC and party spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina said the selection list issued on June 10, 2026, had sparked widespread resentment among athletes, sports associations and members of civil society.
The BJP leaders claimed that the controversy reflected a growing crisis of confidence in the fairness, transparency and credibility of the recruitment process.
They alleged that four of the five gazetted posts had been allotted to athletes from a Category-B non-Olympic discipline, while several accomplished sportspersons from internationally recognised Olympic disciplines were either denied gazetted appointments or placed in lower categories.
Questioning the government’s justification that the selections were made under a statutory points-based system, the BJP leaders said the framework itself should be examined if there were credible allegations that its provisions or subsequent amendments disproportionately benefited a particular discipline.
They also raised concerns over amendments to the recruitment rules, the weightage assigned to different competitions and the inclusion of certain events that allegedly enabled athletes from select disciplines to accumulate disproportionately high points.
The party further alleged a possible conflict of interest, claiming that some officials associated with the recruitment process also held positions in recognised sports associations linked to disciplines that secured a majority of the top appointments. According to the BJP, even the perception of such a conflict undermines public trust and warrants an impartial investigation.
The BJP maintained that although the High-Powered Selection Committee functions as an institutional body under S.O. 12 of 2022, the government remains accountable for the final recruitment list. It said the Minister for Youth Services and Sports must ensure that the recruitment process is transparent, impartial and free from suspicion.
Describing the issue as one that affects the credibility of public employment and the future of young athletes, the party demanded a time-bound independent inquiry into the functioning of the J&K Sports Council and the entire recruitment process under S.O. 12 of 2022.
“A review of all amendments to the recruitment rules and the methodology adopted for awarding points. An investigation into allegations of actual or perceived conflict of interest involving officials associated with the recruitment process. Fixing responsibility wherever procedural irregularities, abuse of authority or manipulation are established. A transparent and merit-based sports recruitment policy that ensures equal opportunities for athletes across all recognised disciplines,” reads BJP statement.
The BJP said only a fair, transparent and independent investigation would restore the confidence of the sporting community in Jammu and Kashmir.