Twitter witnessed a war of words between Haryana Sports Minister Anil Vij and shooter Manu Bhaker over a promised cash reward.
The controversy was sparked off when the 16-year-old sportswomen who wondered if Mr Vij actually intended to honour his promise of giving her a cash reward of INR₹ 2 crore for winning the Youth Olympic Games back in October, 2018.
Manu Bhaker had quoted the BJP politician Anil Vij’s older tweets in a screenshots with a simple query, “Sir, Please confirm if it is correct… Or just Jumla (false promise)…”
Sir Please confirm if it is correct… Or just Jumla… @anilvijminister pic.twitter.com/AtxpLKBSYV
— Manu Bhaker (@realmanubhaker) January 4, 2019
The screenshots clearly showed Mr Vij announcing that Haryana’s BJP – led administration will grant the young sportswoman a cash prize of INR₹ 2 crore.
The shooter’s query sparked an uproar on social media, forcing the politician to come out with a clarification that the government does intend to award her.
The BJP minister Vij tweeted to reiterate that the 16 year old would receive her cash reward but at the same time questioned the players ‘sense of discipline’ and asked the teen to ‘focus on her game’.
Manu Bhaker should have first confirmed it from the Sports Deptt. before going to public domain. It is disgusting to denounce a State Govt which is giving highest awards in the Country. Bhaker will will will get 2 crores as tweated by me and as per notification at that time.
— ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) January 5, 2019
We have increased Prize money from 10 lakh which was being given in previous Congress Govt. to 2 crores for this event. We have delivered prize money won by Haryana Players upto August on 15 August last year and remaining will be delivered possibly in January this year
— ANIL VIJ MINISTER HARYANA (@anilvijminister) January 5, 2019
Ace shooter Manu Bhaker made her mark in shooting ranges across the world by winning multiple golds in the ISSF World Cup and Commonwealth Games, besides the top prize at the Youth Olympics last October.