In a recent judgment, the Rajasthan High Court addressed the contentious issue of whether yoga should be recognized as a sport for the purpose of awarding bonus marks in government recruitment processes. The court dismissed a petition challenging the state's decision to exclude yoga from the list of recognized sports, thereby denying the petitioner additional marks in the selection process for the position of Physical Training Instructor (PTI).
Case Background
The petitioner, Sita Ram, had applied for the post of PTI, a position for which the state grants bonus marks to candidates who have participated in recognized sports events at various levels. Sita Ram presented a certificate of participation from the All-India Inter-University tournaments (AIITU) in yoga, representing JVNU, Jodhpur, and contended that this should qualify him for the bonus marks allocated for sports achievements.
State's Position
The state authorities, however, did not award the bonus marks to Sita Ram, citing a communication dated December 21, 2016, from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This communication clarified that yoga was not recognized as a sport by the Ministry, primarily because it was not feasible to hold standardized competitive tournaments for yoga due to its diverse dimensions. Consequently, the state maintained that participation in yoga events did not meet the criteria for awarding sports-related bonus marks in recruitment.
Petitioner's Argument
Sita Ram challenged this decision, arguing that the 2016 communication from the Ministry was not applicable to his case, as it was not specifically addressed to any state authority. He asserted that yoga should be considered a sport and that his participation at the inter-university level should entitle him to the same benefits as participants in other recognized sports.
Court's Analysis
Justice Arun Monga, presiding over the case, examined the relevant records and the 2016 communication from the Ministry. The court noted that the Ministry had explicitly stated that yoga could not be classified as a sport due to the lack of feasibility in organizing standardized competitive tournaments. The communication emphasized that while yoga has various dimensions, its non-competitive nature disqualifies it from being recognized as a sport for the purpose of awarding benefits like bonus marks in recruitment.
Judgment
Based on this analysis, the court concluded that the petitioner did not possess a sports certificate recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. As a result, he was not eligible for the bonus marks designated for sports participation in the recruitment process. The court found no grounds to interfere with the state's decision and accordingly dismissed the petition.
Implications of the Judgment
This ruling has significant implications for candidates seeking government positions that offer additional marks for sports participation. It underscores the importance of possessing certificates in activities officially recognized as sports by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The judgment clarifies that, despite its physical and mental benefits, yoga does not qualify as a sport for the purposes of recruitment incentives due to its non-competitive nature.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan High Court's decision reaffirms the classification standards set by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports regarding what constitutes a sport. It highlights the necessity for candidates to be aware of these classifications when seeking benefits tied to sports participation in government recruitment processes. The judgment also reflects the court's adherence to established guidelines and communications from relevant authorities in making determinations that impact employment and educational opportunities.
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