Assam Chief Minister and Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Himanta Biswa Sarma has courted controversy after dismissing complaints raised by international badminton players over hygiene and wildlife-related issues during the India Open 2026, describing them as "little overreactions" and suggesting that a monkey spotted inside the venue should simply have been offered a banana.

Sarma made the remarks during The Indian Express Idea Exchange programme held in New Delhi on July 4, where he was asked about criticism surrounding the India Open, hosted in the national capital earlier this year.

Responding to concerns about monkeys entering the competition venue, Sarma said there was no reason to be alarmed.

"What is the problem with dogs and monkeys coming? If a monkey comes to watch a game, what is the problem with it? If I were there, I would have said, 'Bandar aaya tha to kela do' (If a monkey comes, give him a banana)," he remarked.

He added that monkey sightings were not unusual in Delhi and suggested that such incidents should be viewed as a reality of the city's environment rather than a major issue.

"If there is a game in Delhi, monkeys will come. Whether you want to organise the event or not is your choice," Sarma said.

The BAI chief also downplayed complaints regarding bird droppings and hygiene at the tournament venues, calling the criticism an overreaction.

"These are little overreactions. BAI and the Delhi government cannot physically remove the monkeys. If a monkey enters the court, the match has to be stopped as per Supreme Court guidelines," he said.

Sarma also addressed questions about the Badminton Association's earlier response, in which images of monkeys inside the venue had reportedly been described as AI-generated. Distancing himself from that statement, he said he was not responsible for the association's communication and reiterated that he would simply have fed the monkey a banana.

The controversy stems from multiple complaints made by foreign players during the India Open Super 750 tournament held in January.

Danish shuttler Mia Blichfeldt publicly criticised the training facilities, describing the conditions as unhygienic.

Speaking to reporters during the tournament, she had said, "The floors are dirty, there is a lot of dirt on the courts. There are birds flying inside the arena, and there is bird droppings on the floor."

Blichfeldt also shared her concerns on social media, highlighting the condition of the practice venue. It marked the second consecutive year that she had raised similar issues during the India Open.

The criticism intensified after photographs and videos surfaced showing monkeys inside the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex and the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall, where players were training.

Photographer Azlynna Dewi posted images of a monkey sitting in the spectator area near the practice courts, while South Korean men's doubles player Kang Min Hyuk shared a video of another monkey at the training venue with the caption, "Are animals given free admission?"

Security personnel reportedly confirmed that one monkey remained inside the venue for nearly 10 minutes during a match before leaving.

Following the backlash, the Badminton Association of India acknowledged the concerns and assured players that improvements were being planned ahead of the BWF World Championships 2026, which India is scheduled to host in August.

In its official statement, the BAI said the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex represented a significant improvement over previous facilities and that a comprehensive review of tournament operations and infrastructure was underway.

The association also clarified that Mia Blichfeldt's remarks referred specifically to the KD Jadhav Stadium, which served as the training venue, and not the main competition arena.

The latest remarks by Sarma have reignited debate over sports infrastructure and athlete welfare, with critics arguing that concerns raised by international competitors deserve serious attention rather than being dismissed. The episode also comes at a time when India is preparing to host one of badminton's biggest global events, placing greater focus on the country's readiness to provide world-class facilities for international athletes.