Rijiju’s Tribal Sports Yatra: Stadiums, Skilling, and a Sharp Jibe at Congress in Shimla. Why only Buddhist Corridor? Mr Rijiju
Shimla, June 26:
In a whirlwind tour of Himachal's tribal belt and the capital Shimla, Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju made a loud political and developmental pitch—announcing four high-altitude multi-sports stadiums in Pooh and Kaza under Phase-I of a Centre-sponsored tribal youth empowerment initiative.
He made these announcements at a press conference in Shimla on June 26 backed a political message for Congress- 50 years of Black Chapter of Emergency.
The proposed stadiums—strategically located near the Indo-Tibet border in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti—are aimed at nurturing local talent in adventure, winter, and traditional sports while offering sports-skilling facilities to train sturdy sportspersonsand athletes to compete in nationaland international events.
Rijiju said these "multi-utility sports hubs" will also act as defence prep centres, given the high-altitude terrain and proximity to border villages that will change the face of the region. .
“This is not just about sports. It’s about bringing life and opportunity back to the border villages that have long been neglected.
We’re empowering youth with infrastructure, training and employment,” Rijiju told reporters.
In the First phase of tribal youth outreachFacilities: Multi-sport grounds, indoor halls, hostels, skilling and training units.
The government will spend Rs 4.89 crore for indoor stadium at Pooh. He announced that centre at Gyaul will facilities for over 3000 students.
Rs 73.77 Crore Ice hockey winter sports and multi-sports training centre at Kaza in Spiti laced with top end sports infrastructure including water chilling plant to make facilities available round the year including winter.
Then there will be cricket stadium and skill and vocational training centre at Kaza with investment of Rs 8 Crore, he announced.
These four are located in close proximity on the Pooh-Spiti corridor. Rijiju will lay foundation of the projects in the course of his yatra.
Purpose: Youth empowerment, border village revival, traditional games promotion, defence preparedness
The exact budget details of scheme for Sirmaur, Bharmaur Pangi and Lahaul were not disclosed.
He hinted that the projects will be funded under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Sports jointly, with a major chunk coming from Central grants for high-altitude infrastructure development.
Rijiju’s Jibe: “Emergency was Constitution Hatya Divas” as announced in the central cabinet chaired by PM Modi yesterday in New Delhi.
Rijiju didn’t just stick to development. From the press dais in Shimla, he took direct aim at the Congress, calling June 25—the anniversary of the 1975 Emergency—“Constitution Hatya Divas” (Constitutional Murder Day).
“The Congress imposed Emergency, jailed opposition, and trampled on the very Constitution they now claim to defend,” he said.
Rijiju invoked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution, to corner the grand old party. Dr Ambedkar had became Buddhist.
“People must know why Ambedkar resigned as Law Minister in 1951 and wrote to Nehru. It was because Congress sidelined him and didn’t allow him to push key reforms,” he said, subtly hinting at the Congress’s “double speak” on constitutional morality.
Met CM, Sought Ground-Level Push
Rijiju also met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging the state to expedite implementation of these tribal sports projects and complementary skill centres.
“We need state cooperation. These are national projects with local impact,” Rijiju said.
“Himachal and Arunachal are Cultural Cousins”
In a softer tone, Rijiju celebrated the shared tribal culture of Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
“We may be states apart, but our customs, dress, and resilience bind us,” he said, drawing a connect that could help push the Centre’s tribal outreach narrative in the Himalayas.
Rijiju’s visit was not just about laying foundations—it was a blend of tribal outreach, political messaging, and national security undertones.
With stadiums near the China border, sharp criticism of the 1975 Emergency, and emotional recall of Ambedkar’s ideological battles, MP from Arunachal set a multi-pronged agenda rolling in Himachal’s high-altitude terrain. It will bring about revolutionary change in life of youth in the region when these projects will see the light of thecday, he said.
Rijiju’s Tribal Sports Pitch: Strategic Move or Selective Outreach?
Rijiju’s announcement of three high-altitude multi-sports stadiums in Pooh, Kanam, and Kaza has stirred both applause and criticism.
While the Centre calls it a move to empower youth in remote tribal belts, the choice of locations—all in the Buddhist-dominated Pooh-Spiti corridor—has sparked murmurs of bias.
The glaring omission of Lahaul Valley, located just across the 15500 ft high Kunzum Pass, has left many puzzled.
Lahaul has seen a spurt in youth engagement in skiing, adventure sports, and defence services post the Atal Tunnel, yet finds no mention in this first phase.
Rijiju, during his interaction, openly acknowledged his Buddhist identity and confirmed his attendance at the Dalai Lama’s upcoming birthday function in Dharamshala on July 6.
While faith shouldn’t be a disqualifier, the clustering of projects in a single cultural zone has led to questions: Is this about strategic location, or faith affinity?
To his credit, Rijiju did clarify that Chamba, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una would be considered in the second phase, but without any timeline or financial details.
The cultural commonality he drew between Arunachal and Himachal and his push to revive life in border villages is appreciable.
But balancing regional aspirations is key if the government wants these projects to be seen as inclusive tribal empowerment—not selective outreach.
He was accompanied by Jai Ram Thakur and BJP President Dr Rajiv Bindal.
#TribalSportsPush #EmergencyRemembered #BorderVillageRevival #AmbedkarVsNehru #RijijuInHimachal
