Para-swimmer Prasanta Karmakar cried foul after suspension for three years by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). According to media reports, this para-athlete was suspended for allegedly recording videos of female swimmers at the National Swimming Championships in Jaipur in 2017.
Further, according to an ANI report, Vice President of the Paralympic Committee of India Gurshan Singh also said Karmakar has been suspended not only for shooting videos, but also for poor discipline and anti-federation activities.
Formerly, PCI had said Kamarkar was suspended after a written complaint was made alleging misconduct, misbehaviour and manhandling.
He (Karmakar) gave a camera to one of his associates and asked him to make video films of female swimmers during the event. When the parents of those swimmers objected, the person making videos on the instance of Karmakar was called in by Dr V K Dabas, Chairman, Para-Swimming, PCI, wherein he informed that the camera was given to him by Karmakar with instructions to make the said video films.PCI
Alleging conspiracy, Karmakar told ANI, "I have been suspended because I questioned the PCI for their wrongdoings. All allegations are fabricated. This is a conspiracy against me by members of the executive body of the PCI".
I have been accused of videographing female swimmers, but the videographer was the father of a para-swimmer whom he was recording. If the athlete’s parents are not having an objection with the filming of the video then why does the PCI have a problem?Prasanta Karmakar
He also said the PCI had not given prior instructions about videography being prohibited on the promises, adding that Dr VK Dabas, as the Chairman of the Sports Technical Committee, was misusing his constitutional powers:
Dabas took false complaints from other people and handed over the swimmer’s father to the police. Being the first Paralympic Arjuna awardee, it was my moral duty to stand by my swimmer. It was then that I fought with the police officials and got him released.
Karmakar also said that what they have done is not only an insult to him, "but also to para-sports".
Denying the charges, reported The Indian Express, Karmakar accused the PCI of a "pre planned conspiracy" against him since he wanted to expose "certain illegalities" in the committee.
Two hundred percent, it is a conspiracy against me. There are several awardees who have claimed medals on the basis of fake certificates and I wanted that list to be published and expose the fraud.Prasanta Karmakar
According to ANI, he said by punishing him the PCI has messed with the future of the six students who had been training under him.
Meanwhile, J Chandrashekar, Secretary-General, Paralympic Committee of India told ANI that this was not the first time a complaint was being made against the Arjuna Awardee.
Various athletes (men and women) had accused Karmakar of a similar offences earlier. Hence, we wanted a thorough probe of the charges. The disciplinary committee was immediately formed after the National Championships and the verdict was given out in January 2018.J Chandrashekhar
Karmakar, a national champion for 16 consecutive years, has garnered several accolades and medals, including a bronze in the 2010 Commonwealth games. He was also the first specially-abled swimmer to represent India and win a medal at the World Swimming Championships in 2003, reported ANI.
(Hey there, lady! What makes you laugh? Do you laugh at sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny? Do 'sanskaari' stereotypes crack you up? This Women's Day, join The Quint's Ab Laugh Naari campaign. Pick up that beer, say cheers, and send us photographs or videos of you laughing out loud at buriladki@thequint.com.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)