Vanadana Katariya : A Forward in the Indian Women's National Field Hockey Team

Its really shocking to know that Indian hockey star Vandana Katariya's family has been harassed and they faced the casteist slurry comments from few upper caste people in her village named Roshanabad in Haridwar after the Indian Women’s Hockey Team lost the match of semi-final to Argentina at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday.

This is must to mention that Vandana Katariya, a 29 year old player, is a forward in the Indian Women's National Field Hockey Team. She is playing for India for last 14 years. She made her junior international debut in 2006. Four years later she made her debut in Senior’s International match.

Indian Women’s Hockey Team lost the hope of Gold or Silver medal but still the whole Nation was hoping Branze Medal and every one was boosting the team’s moral to win the match which was played against Great Britain. When the whole nation was praying for the victory, Vandana Katariya's family was facing this unpleasant behavior by their fellow villagers from upper caste. They were slurring that “India lost the game because the team has many low caste players.” The men abused her family, burst the crackers and danced in mock celebrations; they hurled casteist comments at her family. They were also saying that not only hockey but every sports should keep Dalits out. Vandana’s brother complained it to police. But till the news is been written the FIR was to be filed.

This is actually very heart breaking and a Reprehensible act. The same team who possess, as per the casteist, many lower caste players have made the team to reach to the Bronze medal level in this Olympics. Previously they have won many Medals in different tournaments. Have they forgotten or they have just  become blind folded by casteism? What these people will do to Vandana when she will return back to her home?

How far our society is going to carry the burden of this inhuman casteism? Why this forsaken entity is intruding in every domain when our Nation is moving towards to be a Superpower and the Supreme leader of the world? Have we ever considered the caste of any player who kept flags up in national and international sports? Why these castiest make unpleasant behavior and pass slurry comments to the players who have made Nation’s name throughout the competition?   

Now Central Government is renaming the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Puraskar to Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Puraskar. This is a good move by Government. But will this move be able to change the mindset of the people when the Government itself is stigmatized as a non-secular Government? Prime Minister should see how the progressive thoughts could change the casteist mentality. Then not only the sports but the hero from every field could get the real recognition.