Rohidas gets one-match ban, set to miss India's Olympic hockey semi-final; HI lodges appeal
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Paris (PTI): India's key defender and first rusher Amit Rohidas will miss Tuesday's Olympic men's hockey semifinal against Germany after he was handed a one-match suspension following his red card against Great Britain in the quarterfinal.
This means India will have only 15 players available for the key clash, which is big set back for the eight-time Olympic champions.
"Amit Rohidas was suspended for one match for a breach of the FIH Code of Conduct which occurred during the India vs Great Britain match on August 4," a FIH statement read.
"The suspension affects match No. 35 (India's semi-final match against Germany), where Amit Rohidas will not participate and India will play with a squad of 15 players only."
Rohidas was given the marching order against Great Britain almost 40 minutes from the final hooter after his stick unintentionally hit a rival player on Sunday.
In the second quarter of the match against Great Britain, the 31-year-old Rohidas was engaged in a midfield slug fest against Will Calnan.
Rohidas swung his stick and hit Calnan's face in an attempt to flee the British forward.
The on-field umpire initially did not rule the challenge to be a serious offence, but TV umpire changed the decision and changed it to a red card following a video referral.
Down to 10 men, the Indians, however, fought tenaciously for the remaining time of the match and defended stoutly to hold Great Britain to a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.
In the subsequent shoot-out, veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh's heroics handed India a 4-2 win to seal a second consecutive Olympic semifinal berth.
Hockey India lodges appeal against Rohidas' suspension
A miffed Hockey India has already lodged an appeal against Rohidas' suspension and a decision on the matter will be taken by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Jury Bench later in the day.
"Amit has been banned/suspended for one match by the tournament director. Hockey India has now appealed against this ruling and the appeal will be put forth before the FIH Jury Bench," a source told PTI.
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Mayawati slams BJP, Cong over Ambedkar row
Lucknow (PTI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday accused the BJP and the Congress of disrespecting the legacy of B R Ambedkar and exploiting Dalit votes for political gains.
She also called on people from all communities to ensure the success of the BSP's nationwide protest on Tuesday against Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Ambedkar.
In a series of posts on X, Mayawati described the remarks as deeply hurtful to Ambedkar's followers.
"The recent events prove that neither the BJP nor the Congress is truly committed to protecting the interests of Ambedkar's followers. Their policies and principles lack sincerity," she said.
Referring to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's scheduled visit to Parbhani, Maharashtra to meet the family of a man who died in judicial custody, Mayawati termed the Congress' response to the controversy "crocodile tears".
"Despite Ambedkar's struggles and contributions, the Congress has historically maintained a casteist and neglectful attitude towards his community and its welfare. Their remembrance of Dalits and backward classes only comes when they face political crises," the former chief minister said.
Mayawati also took aim at Shah and demanded the withdrawal of his remarks about Ambedkar.
"In light of the disrespectful comments, the BSP is calling for peaceful demonstrations in district headquarters across the country tomorrow. I appeal to all communities to ensure the success of these protests. Those exploiting Ambedkar's name for deceitful politics must be stopped," she said.
During a debate on the Constitution in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, Shah said, "Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar Bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have attained heaven for seven lifetimes)."
Mayawati emphasised that the BSP remains the true defender of Ambedkar's ideals and the empowerment of "Bahujan Samaj".
"Unlike other parties, which only pretend to be Ambedkarites to gain Dalit votes, the BSP focuses on transforming political and social power into self-respect for Ambedkar's followers. To these parties, Dalits are just a vote bank while the BSP ensures the true realisation of their interests," she said.
