Anju Bobby George Slammed For ‘Wrong Era’ Comment
Former athlete and Paris 2003 medallist and BJP member Anju Bobby George was highly criticized on social media for her ‘being born in the wrong era’ remark. The athlete made this controversial comment while attending an event at Lok Kalyan Marg for a Christmas celebration.
On Monday, Anju hailed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking initiative in bringing a revolution in sports. “As a sports person, I have been here for 25 years. What I am seeing then and now – a lot of changes,” she said while speaking at a Christmas event at Prime Minister Narendra Modi“s official residence.
She then recalled the tepid responses she received during her career and how the athletes are being celebrated under Modi’s leadership now. “When I got India”s first global medal 20 years back, even my department was not ready to give promotion. But after Neeraj (Chopra) got a medal, I am seeing the changes. The way we are celebrating. How you are celebrating, and how India celebrated – I envy them. I was in the wrong era,” she said.
The social media users taunted her for her comment being born in the wrong era as she was awarded the medal when BJP was in power. Many came reminding the sports star that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime Minister during the quoted ‘wrong era’.
Fact checker Muhammed Zubair took to X reposting an ANI post, captioned, “ANI forgot to mention that BJP member Anju George joined the party in 2019.”
ANI forgot to mention that BJP member Anju George joined the party in 2019. pic.twitter.com/pifOHUsCeH
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 25, 2023
While one user wrote, “She won medal in 2003, that time Atal ji was PM Basically they are Criticizing Atal ji on his Birthday”.
While another responded by posting a image of Sakshi Malik’s wrestling shoes to indicate the pathetic conditions of sportsmen in present India under BJP rule.
Anju George in her speech, acknowledged ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India’ and said that Indian athletes are now being recognised worldwide under the leadership of Modi.
The bronze medallist in the long jump at 2003 World Championships in Athletics in Paris also touched upon how women empowerment has become a reality. “Every Indian girl is ready to dream and they know that their dreams will come true one day,” she said while expressing happiness for India”s proposal for hosting the 2036 Olympics.
Anju Bobby George has also won gold medal at the 2003 Afro-Asian Games. She aced by achieving her personal best of 6.83 m at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. She was also awarded with the Arjuna Award in 2002, Khel Ratna in 2003 and Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, in 2004.
