Bhubaneswar: Renowned sports journalist and author Sundeep Misra launched his fifth book, ‘Gunned Down – Murder of an Olympic Champion,’ on Monday. The book chronicles the remarkable life and unsolved murder of Indian hockey legend Prithipal Singh, known as the ‘Penalty King’.
Prithipal was a key figure in India’s Olympic medal wins in 1960, 1964, and 1968, and was the first hockey player to receive the Arjuna Award. He later played a crucial role as chairman of selectors when India won the 1975 Hockey World Cup.
Prithipal Singh’s life was cut short in 1983 when he was tragically shot dead by his own students at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, where he served as Dean of Students’ Welfare.
At the book launch, author Sundeep Misra shared a personal connection to Prithipal, recalling how his father introduced him to the hockey legend’s remarkable feats in the late 1970s. Misra reflected on Prithipal’s unique duality: A superstar at the same time, extremely humble.
“A sense of duality that resonated personally with me was that he was a superstar at the same time, extremely humble,” said Misra.
A panel discussion was held during the book launch, moderated by senior journalist Arup Ghosh. The panel featured notable guests, including Olympic gold medallist Harbinder Singh, former India hockey captain and MLA Pargat Singh, political ideologue Harcharan Singh Bains, and retired professor Ajaib Singh Tiwana. Former Indian hockey team captains Dileep Tirkey and Sardar Singh were also in attendance.
During the discussion, Pargat Singh praised Prithipal’s “phenomenal commitment to the game” and expressed disappointment over the compromised investigation into his murder. Harcharan Singh Bains shared his personal memory of Prithipal, describing him as “an iconic elder brother for girls on campus” and a strict disciplinarian.
The discussion also highlighted Prithipal’s complex personality, with Bains describing him as “an iconic elder brother for girls on campus” and a strict disciplinarian. Misra suggested that Prithipal’s life might have taken a different turn if he had won the 1960 Olympics against Pakistan.
Pargat Singh, who joined the Indian hockey team in 1983, praised Prithipal’s phenomenal commitment and mental toughness. He lamented the compromised investigation into Prithipal’s murder, which hit a dead end.
Ajaib Singh Tiwana, who was allegedly involved in the murder, objected to the claim and shared his side of the story, explaining how he was later cleared. He felt that Prithipal, as Dean of Student Welfare, had become a hurdle for students.
The panel discussion concluded with Pargat Singh’s poignant observation: “We as a nation know how to make heroes, but unfortunately, don’t know how to keep them, sustain them, and maintain that heroism.”
