Decorated women Olympians allege sexual abuse, threaten to return medals
By Our Special Correspondent in New Delhi
Worth Noting:
- Their protest has caught momentum recently, with an increasing number of sympathisers. Far from being an isolated women’s only protest, even men have added their support.
- Olympics medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, world championship medallists Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha and CWG medallist Sumit Malik were among 30 wrestlers who protested in Delhi.
- “We will not compete in any international competition until WFI President is removed, ” said Bajrang Punia, Olympic bronze medallist wrestler.
- Seeing the injustice on the sportswomen, even the fiery Farmers Union, The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), spearheaded the year-long 2020-21 violent farmers’ agitation at the Delhi border, almost paralysing the Government and bringing it to its knees, stepped in to support the wrestlers.
India’s top women wrestlers, who brought Olympics-winning honours to their country, have accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the politically influential chief of their national sports governing body, of sexual abuse, rocking the sporting world,
The wrestlers, led by Olympic bronze winners, Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, began protesting in New Delhi on January 18, accusing the sport’s governing body’s boss and coaches under his watch of sexually harassing multiple female athletes.
They alleged that the ten-year reign of terror and intimidation against the wrestlers started in 2012 and continued until 2022. Singh also used his official residence in Delhi as the WFI office.
Indian government officials have made a charade and pretension of supporting the wrestlers in their fight for justice.
The wrestlers’ allegations go deeper than just an isolated incident.
Ms Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian woman wrestler to win gold in both Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games and other women wrestlers raised sexual abuse allegations against the WFI and its President, Singh.
In a shocking statement, Vinesh Phogat, who also participated in the Olympics, said that “national coaches molested female wrestlers over the years and were given death threats by WFI officials.”
Their intimidation was so overpowering that she recalled, “We were threatened that our careers would end if we spoke. Federation members used profanities against female wrestlers.”
Ms Phogat revealed that she knew of at least 10 to 12 women wrestlers who confided in her their horrific experiences and sexual exploitation at the hands of the WFI President. “They told me their stories,” adding that she could not reveal their names unless they could meet the country’s Prime Minister, with whom they had sought a meeting and requesting action from the Home Minister.
Even more disturbing were Ms Phogat’s revelations that she had received death threats from officials purportedly at the WFI President’s behest because she had dared to draw in the Prime Minister in this murky affair.
The well-known Delhi lawyer Ms Rajeeta Raj, an advocate at the Supreme Court of India, who joined the wrestlers in their protest in the Indian capital, is convinced that there has been a travesty of justice.
“I am despondent and agitated about the incidents of sexual harassment of our international women wrestlers. This should not have happened. ”
She said the Police were dragging their feet and taking time to complete the investigation. The accused is also a very influential person. There is a general suspicion that he seemingly indirectly will interfere with the hearing process.
Ms Rajeeta Raj said she had spoken to the wrestlers. “I could feel their pain. I have found that they are truthful and standby their allegations.”
When asked if those accused, and notably the WFI President Singh, should be arrested and questioned, the lawyer said, “Yes, he should be immediately arrested and detained in the Jail as happens with other cases until the police inquiries are completed, and the decision is made to prosecute.”
She fears that if not arrested and put into custody, the WFI President, being very influential, could influence, intimidate witnesses and even tamper with evidence.
“It is suspected that very highly influential people in the Government are supporting him.”
Mr Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) since 2011, is an influential member of the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party and six-times Member of Parliament from Kaiserganj in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,
He is said to have the ear of ultra-powerful leaders in New Delhi.
The wrestlers initially reported their case to the Delhi Police, who failed to take action and, in probability, pushed it under the carpet, as it involved a top government functionary.
This is a common practice in India as they receive orders from the top to go slow.
But the wrestlers have been adamant in demanding action against Singh, who vehemently denies any allegation of sexual abuse.
Their protest has caught momentum recently, with an increasing number of sympathisers. Far from being an isolated women’s only protest, even men have added their support.
Olympics medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia, world championship medallists Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Malik, Jitender Kinha and CWG medallist Sumit Malik were among 30 wrestlers who protested in Delhi.
“We will not compete in any international competition until WFI President is removed, ” said Bajrang Punia, Olympic bronze medallist wrestler.
Seeing the injustice on the sportswomen, even the fiery Farmers Union, The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), spearheaded the year-long 2020-21 violent farmers’ agitation at the Delhi border, almost paralysing the Government and bringing it to its knees, stepped in to support the wrestlers.
Their executives joined the wrestlers who had resumed their protest at the Jantar Mantar, an area set aside for peaceful demonstrations. The SKM is demanding the arrest of the WFI President, Mr Singh.
The SKM’s intervention has further sparked the embers of the wrestlers’ protest, which will spread the agitation outside Delhi to the whole of India, involving an enormous number of farmers.
SKM leaders from the leading farming states of India – Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh had planned a visit to the Jantar Mantar accompanied by the organisation’s Delhi officials,
The powerful Farmers Union said in a statement, “SKM strongly condemns Delhi Police for not acting with due sensitivity as per the law to arrest the accused and ensure in-camera proceedings. SKM also condemns Delhi Police’s denial of basic civil rights of the protesting sportspersons of access to water, electricity, protection, bedding etc.”
Security was stepped up at Jantar Mantar in Delhi after the SKM announcement that it would hold nationwide protests in Delhi to support the protesting wrestlers.
The Government was forced to act when public opinion grew in favour of the protestors.
The Police reluctantly agreed to accept a First Incident Report (FIR) on April 30 – 102 days after the first protest, when the wrestlers unsuccessfully attempted to report the case to the Police.
Seven female wrestlers, including a minor, had filed police complaints against Singh, alleging sexual harassment and criminal intimidation,
Two FIRs were registered, naming Brij Bhushan Singh Sharan, his close aide, and the federations’ secretary, Vinod Tomar.
The first FIR was registered based on allegations by a minor wrestler. The second was based on the complaints of the women wrestlers against Singh and Tomar.
Indian media reported that both Singh and Tomar were booked for making sexually coloured remarks and stalking,
On April 23, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshee Malik returned to the protest site at Jantar Mantar, claiming that six women wrestlers, and a minor, had filed sexual harassment complaints against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh at Connaught Place Police Station but Delhi Police did not register an FIR.
Delhi Police filed two FIRs on April 28 following the notice by the Supreme Court.
The protesting wrestlers have clarified that they won’t move until they get justice and Brij Bhushan is removed as the WFI chief and put behind bars.
Mt Kenya Times 
John Kariuki