Bombay High Court Recognizes Bodybuilding for Sports Quota in Government Jobs

Bodybuilding Now Included in Sports Quota

A significant development has taken place for bodybuilding fans. The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has mandated that bodybuilding be recognized under the 'Sports Quota' for government and semi-government employment opportunities. The Court has instructed that bodybuilding qualifies for the 5 percent reservation designated for sports.

This ruling was delivered by a bench consisting of Justice Mukulika Jawalkar and Justice Nandes Deshpande, following a petition submitted by Deepak Pawar.

Four Weeks to Implement Changes

The Court noted that the omission of bodybuilding from the State Policy of 2016 was arbitrary and violated constitutional rights. It firmly stated that bodybuilding is essentially a sub-discipline of gymnastics, making it eligible for the sports quota. The Court has ordered the government to revise the Government Resolution (GR) from July 1, 2016, to include bodybuilding within four weeks.

Concerns Over Exclusion

During the hearings, it was highlighted that bodybuilding was part of the 2005 policy but was later excluded. The Court criticized the limitation of eligibility to only Olympic, Asian, or Commonwealth Games as unjustifiable. It also pointed out that the Central Government awards the 'Arjuna Award' to bodybuilders, which confirms the national acknowledgment of this sport.

The Court deemed the exclusion of bodybuilding from the reservation scheme as discriminatory and ordered the cancellation of government circulars dated October 24, 2018, and March 21, 2023. This ruling is crucial for those looking to pursue a career in bodybuilding.

For a long time, professionals in this field have been advocating for this inclusion. They argued that, similar to other sports, bodybuilding should also be part of the sports quota, ensuring that aspiring bodybuilders can confidently pursue their careers.