Days after the Punjab government withdrew deputy superintendent of police rank from Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian women’s Twenty20 captain and Arjuna awardee, and offered her constable’s post, TOI’s Sanjeev Verma interviews her to clear the air on her fake graduation degree rowThere was a reason I stayed silent. I respect my department for giving me the job. Whatever is coming my way, whether good or bad, my department would know. Therefore, I kept quiet. Otherwise, on the very first day (after government withdrew the deputy superintendent of police rank from her) I would have called a press conference to present my case. My degree is not fake. I did my graduation eight years ago, after completing Class XII. Had I known the degree (graduation) was fake, I would have done graduation again, maybe two or three times over. I have no idea what my department has noticed (in the degree) or what verification it has done. I have conveyed the same thing to my department and don’t know why media doesn’t understand this.If you have 10 friends, there are enemies too. I don’t know how many people are happy with my achievement. There may be some who are dissatisfied. I don’t know why they are defaming me today. All in all, I’ve been doing exceptionally well for my country. There is a question mark on my career today. Why is that?By default, it can also be an administrative fault. When you did your graduation, did you go to the head office to verify your enrollment number? Nobody does that. I did exactly the same thing. If I am playing, my focus is obviously on cricket . Apart from that, I just wanted to complete my graduation. On the basis of my graduation certificate, I took admission in post graduation course in a different university but could never take my exams because of overseas tournaments. Today, that very degree is being called fake.I am a sportsperson and don’t want to get into all these issues. So, whatever my department finds, it can act accordingly. I had come here to play. This job was given to me as a gift (for playing well). I am thankful to the government for giving me this position.Why should I? The department should initiate action against me. I am waiting for a word from my department.No. Nothing of the sort happened. I have not received any notice from my department. I am talking to you because I am tired of reading about this in newspapers every day. Otherwise, I am relying on my department completely, and whatever decision it takes would be the last.When no such offer has reached me so far, what can I say about it? Woh tab ki tab dekhi jayegi (if I am demoted). Baad ki baad main dekhte hain. Maine filhaal iss bare main socha hi nahi hai.I completed my graduation through distance learning from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in 2009-2011. Earlier, I was pursuing graduation from a college in Jalandhar , where I did my first year. Thereafter, I was not able to pursue it as my cricket schedule and the examination dates used to clash always. Besides, as the college principal had changed, and they did not like me pursuing sports, they did not adjust exam timings as per my cricket schedule. So, I had to migrate to another university. I have been playing for India after completing my Class XII.I have not because my department has been verifying it. The police department is the biggest in our country. How can I fight it? So, let them do their duty. Besides, I have neither the calibre nor the patience to fight such things. I will be very-very obliged if everyone supported me in pursuing my career in sports.But I have cleared all my exams and my every certificate is legal.My examination centre used to be in Delhi. My subjects were sociology, political science, english and general awareness.Yes.Aisa to kuch tha hi nahi. Your questions are the same as mine. But since I hold the degree, I am answerable.Sources in the CMO confirmed Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday directed to explore the possibility of not demoting Harmanpreet but to appoint her as honorary DSP like former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been appointed by the Indian Air Force as honorary Group Captain. CM also ordered to take legal opinion on the issue while going through the Punjab police file recommending Harmanpreet's demotion to constable rank till she completes her graduation. Final decision is likely in a day or two.

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