SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has sharply criticised the Union Territory administration for failing to grant timely permission to international canoeing official Bilquis Mir to officiate at the Canoe Sprint World Cup in Hungary, observing that the delay tarnished India’s image on the global sporting stage.
Justice Rahul Bharti directed Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Shahid Choudhary, to appear in person before the court on August 3 to explain why an earlier order directing provisional permission for Mir was not implemented.
The direction came while hearing a writ petition filed by the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association along with a contempt petition moved by Mir against the commissioner secretary, the Director General of the Sports Council and the J-K administration.
Mir, who became India’s first female kayaking and canoeing judge at the Paris Olympics, had been nominated as Chief Finish Line Judge for the Canoe Sprint World Cup in Hungary earlier this year. However, she was unable to attend after the government failed to clear her travel in time despite a court order.
In its order dated July 28, made public on Thursday, the court said government officials could not place administrative procedures above national interest. It observed that the delay had denied India representation at an international sporting event and reflected poorly on the country’s commitment to sports.
The court also questioned the June order issued by the Youth Services and Sports Department refusing permission, saying it treated the matter as a routine service issue rather than recognising its national importance.
Justice Bharti said the order failed to acknowledge that Mir’s services had been sought for coaching the Indian team and officiating at an international event because of her sporting credentials and experience.
The High Court noted that it had already directed the authorities in May to grant Mir provisional permission to travel to Hungary and serve as chief coach of the Indian kayaking and canoeing team preparing for the 2026 Asian Games. The permission was to remain subject to the final outcome of the case, which the court said should have adequately addressed any administrative concerns.
Despite that order, Mir could not attend the World Cup, which the court said resulted in embarrassment for India as its nominated official missed the competition due to government inaction rather than any fault of her own.
The court also referred to communications from the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Federation requesting that Mir be relieved from her government duties so she could coach the national team for upcoming international events, including the Asian Games and the Olympics.
It observed that the request should have prompted an immediate response from the Sports Department, given that it related to India’s national team.
The court further remarked that, if left entirely to the administration, the Indian team might have been sent to the Asian Games without a coach.
It directed the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Federation to place on record the complete schedule for which Mir’s services would be required, while Choudhary has been asked to personally explain the non-compliance with the court’s earlier directions at the next hearing on August 3.
