Naming sports park after Cong leader’s brother sparks row

SANGRUR: Naming a sports park after Sanjay Gaba, brother of Sangrur Improvement Trust chairman Naresh Gaba has courted controversy as the Punjab State Freedom Fighters Descendants’ Association opposed the move.

The members of the association also met deputy commissioner Ramvir and submitted a memorandum seeking change in the name.

The foundation stone of the park was laid by school education minister Vijay Inder Singla on Wednesday. The sports park will be developed at Capt Karam Singh Nagar of the town with a cost of Rs 24.75 lakh on 1,500 yard land.

It will have facilities such as table tennis, badminton court, snooker, carom and yoga.

When contacted, minister Vijay Inder Singla said: “Sanjay served as municipal councillor in the same area and the park was named after passing a resolution, which was approved by the government.”

State chief of the Freedom Fighters Descendants’ Association Harinderpal Singh Khalsa said that they were trying to stop politicisation of development projects in the district.

“We are seeking 200 yard land for Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall for the past 23 years where pictures of freedom fighters could have been installed, but the government has not paid heed to it,” added Khalsa. “Sanjay was killed in a road accident.

He had done nothing for the society that a park should be named after him,” he said.

Gurinderpal Singh, another member of the association said the name of the sport park was being given as Sanjay Gaba because he was brother of Naresh Gaba.

He said that the state government will spend lakhs of rupees from public funds to build a memorial for the chairman’s brother.

Chairman of Improvement Trust, Sangrur, Naresh Gaba said that his brother was a social worker and the name of the park was given due to his contribution for the society.

“Many development works are undergoing in the city. If descendants of freedom fighters will recommend some names, we will consider those names. They did not give any name for this park,” he said.

The park was named after Sanjay Gaba, brother of Sangrur Improvement Trust chairman, through a resolution, which was approved by the government VIJAY INDER SINGLA , School education minister