Wrestling Federation of India is accused of sexual harassment, affecting the journey of aspiring wrestlers

India’s leading wrestlers have accused Chief of Indian wrestling body, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment. Associated with Bhartiya Janta Party, he is also member of the Lok Sabha since 2014. Court heard petition by top wrestlers against Brij Bhushan over allegations made by several female athletes of sexual abuse. The protest started in January in Delhi but was later called off after the administration promised to look into the matter. But it restarted at Jantar Mantar, when police denied registering the case. The matter initially was picked up by Delhi Women Commission, when Chief Swati Maliwal visited them and showed disappointment towards administration and Delhi police.

Shortly after the case got media attention, wrestlers received support from opposition, Congress political party. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary of All India Congress Committee and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were spotted at the site. Both the leaders said, administration is shielding Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan. CM Kejriwal said that if anybody from BJP is found doing any criminal activity, nothing will happen to him. However, Mr. Singh has denied all the allegations and said is ready for investigation but will not resign. This came after one of the demands of wrestlers were him to leave his position.

According to wrestlers, Delhi Police did not registered the case and ignored all the possible chances they took for the FIR. After the court hearing, allegations were called ‘serious’ and Delhi Police was asked for the explanation. Bajrang Punia, Indian freestyle wrestler, Bronze medalist in Olympics and 4 times World Wrestling Champion, Vinesh Phogat, gold medalist in Commonwealth and Asian Games, Sakshi Malik, first Indian women medalist in Olympics are some of them, protesting for women safety within Indian sports and asking for justice. Meanwhile, P.T. Usha a retired field athlete, also known as ‘Queen of Indian track and field’ and is now serving as president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) sparked outrage with her remarks. Wrestlers who are protesting on the streets are tarnishing country’s image and they should have approached to IOA’s athlete commission instead, she said.

Where people are interviewing wrestlers and politicians to understand their story and opinions’, asking aspiring wrestlers is also important to find out how this whole situation is affecting their journey? Rekha Ahlawat is 18 years old and gets training every day for her wrestling career. She wants to be a freestyle wrestler and want to win medals for the country. On the protest, she said, ‘The Phogat family has always been an inspiration for me. All of the sisters have set a benchmark for people like me. Coming from them is very sad and I am very angry. I wish I would have joined them but my classes and training restricts me. I am hearing lot of negative things about this case, but i don’t understand why number of girls will lie? Why those wrestlers sitting there will risk their international careers just for some fake case? This does not make sense to me.’

BJP leaders are calling it a conspiracy by opposition. They are calling it a politician driven protest. Even mainstream media could be seen following a particular narrative. On asking how this affects wrestling journey, Rekha told EAT news, to an extent. ‘When you see you are becoming a part of wrestling world, but there is no women security and safety to provide, administration is keeping a mum and not taking actions, it is stressful. Especially when you have all the evidences to proof, still the committee that is significantly established for such issues is corrupt itself, absolutely demands accountability. At times, my parents do makes me remember about all the challenges and struggle this journey has along with being a girl, which I agree. And after this case, I am actually questioning myself’, she said. If the person that holds higher position is criminal how can we expect a safe environment for wrestlers in India? She added.

India have been one of the strongest teams when it comes to wrestling at the Commonwealth games. Country’s performance just went better to best down the years, and made it the second best team in the world in category wrestling after Canada. Rekha believes, this is surely damaging country’ image at global level but I do not agree with P.T. Usha. She said, ‘Definitely, wrestling is one of the sports where our teams have excelled their performance at every tournament. We have good coaches, training centers, and possible facilities. This protest is damaging our country’s image globally but not because of the wrestlers but administration who is taking so much time to take action. International players, medalists sitting on street asking for justice with credible evidences, risking their health, trainings and dreams is shameful on the part of system. Country should not forget, they have always made us proud.’

Delhi Police not taking the case seriously, is insulting our achievers.