Athlete commits suicide, leaves note in blood for PM Modi

20-year-old Pooja Kumari, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at the General Shivadev Singh Diwan Gurbachan Singh Khalsa College, committed suicide in her home on August 20, blaming the attitude of sports authorities in her college, who she accused of denying her a sports quota seat.

A National Handball player, a sports seat would have given Pooja free accommodation in the college hostel and free food. As the daughter of a vegetable vendor, the expense of travel, food and accommodation were overwhelming.

In her note, Pooja mentioned that she had to spend  ₹3720 per month just on travel, an unbearable expense for her family. Pooja also asked the Prime Minister to help her family and other economically-backward athletes like her.

Pooja also blamed Gursharan Singh Gill, the physical education head of the college. She claimed that Gill harassed player for not winning medals.

Gill, who has been with the college for some 15 years, is currently in hiding as the police have filed an abetment of suicide case against him.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the college principal, Dharminder Singh Ubha, claimed that though Pooja had been given admission without any fees, she had never asked for hostel facilities.

As the college is run by the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee, the body has also begun an investigation into the suicide.