Politics, Sex and Badminton: The Syed Modi Murder Mystery
Words by Priyan Majumdar
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Politics, Sex and Badminton: The Syed Modi Murder Mystery by Priyan Majumdar
Eight-time National Badminton Champion (1980–87), gold medalist at the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the winner of three other international titles – the Austrian International in 1983 and 1984 and the USSR International in 1985 – Syed Modi was India’s brightest sports star who ruled Badminton for eight consecutive years during a time when the sport had just gained popularity in India. With show-stopping jump smashes and unbeatable stamina and recovery, Syed Modi promised India a bright future in the world of International Badminton.
In 1976, when the 16-year old was just a junior national champion, he met Ameeta Kulkarni during an international tournament in Beijing. Ameeta was then herself already a name in Indian badminton and was a player representing the women's team from India. The two fell in love instantly and their relationship blossomed even after returning home. However, their relationship was vehemently opposed by both families due to the vast chasm between their cultures and social class; Modi was a Muslim from a small village in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, whereas Ameeta was from an affluent upper-class, English-speaking Hindu-Maharashtrian family. Despite their families’ protests, the couple weathered all storms and happily married in 1984.
It was, therefore, no surprise that the whole nation stood on edge when the story of the famous star-crossed lovers from the Badminton world came to a bloody end.
