Kabaddi World Cup cancelled owing to unrest in Punjab
The sixth edition of the Kabaddi World Cup scheduled to be held across Punjab from November 14 to 28 has been cancelled following violence owing to desecration of the Sikh holy book, Indian media reported on Wednesday.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who holds the sports portfolio in the state government, said he took the step to cancel the event as a “mark of grief over the recent incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.”
“Kabaddi symbolises the spirit of the Punjabis and their quest for excellence in rural sports. At a time when the entire Sikh community is shell shocked with grief at the ghastly manner in which Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji has been desecrated, holding such a tournament is not appropriate,” Badal said in a statement.
“My feelings too have been outraged and my conscience is not allowing me to preside over a tournament at a time when the Sikh community in India and all over the world is in grief over the ghastly acts of sacrilege,” he added.
