INTRODUCTION
Wrestling has been one of the defining sports of our country on an international mat. Over the years, Indian wrestlers have clinched many medals in different tournaments and made sure they are in the medal tally. Women wrestlers have fought against all the odds and brought pride to the nation now and then. It's easy to take pride in their achievements but acknowledging their problems and issues is difficult. The recent dharna at Jantar Mantar by the most prominent grapplers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik raised the voice of women wrestlers against the BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh accusing him of sexual harassment of multiple wrestlers. They got immense support from fellow wrestlers (both men and women). At the end of the first round, the wrestlers are on the winning edge.
REASONS BEHIND THE CALL
Double World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat has been the face of the protest. She said, " Women wrestlers have informed her about the unsafe environment at national camps. The wrestlers have been harassed sexually by some coaches and the WFI president for years." She even said that the young wrestler's plan of boycotting the camp and quitting the game was the driving force for taking such a big step. Along with her, India's lone Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik said, " We have come forward to save them. We are fighting for them." Vinesh even claimed that she has a 30-minute recording of a female wrestler narrating her ordeal and how she went through sexual misconduct by Brij Bhushan.
The escalating call for urgent action against what they called " Dictatorial Ways " got the cherry on the cake with the support of fellow wrestlers Olympian Bajrang Punia, Olympian Anshu Malik, Sonam Malik, Sangeeta Phogat, and many more. The wrestlers claimed that the kids have been giving the gifts such as cash, milk, and ghee to get their names added to the national camp. Even to get permission, wrestlers have to beg the authorities.
WHY CAMP IN LUCKNOW?
The wrestlers told the reason behind the camp happening in Lucknow now and then because the chief has a house over there helping the culprits to escape after the misconduct. The WFI chief interferes in the personal life of the athletes. He tries to torture them mentally. The changing of camp location has been demanded by the wrestlers multiple times. They have written to the PM and the Union Sports Minister regarding the change.
WFI CHIEF REMOVAL: A DIFFICULT MOVE
The six-time Lok Sabha MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has been at the helm of the WFI since 2011. Even he has direct control over the 17-20 constituencies in the U.P. The Lok Sabha election is around the corner, and asking Singh to step aside will be a difficult call to make by the BJP in the real sense. U.P. is considered the epicenter of the upcoming elections."BHAUBHALI " is the label used for Singh, and he enjoys being addressed by that. He works in a high-handed manner and is the ultimate decision-maker. The claim put forth by him is that even if a single wrestler comes forward and proves the allegation of being sexually harassed by Singh, he is ready to be hanged. Although he has agreed to distance himself from the day-to-day business yet won't resign from the post until the investigation is over by the appointed OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
MAIN ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED
- The Missing Representation
There is no single woman on the board of the executive committee. The executive committee members are Shri Brijbhushan Sharan Singh [President & M.P Loksabha (2019)], Shri I.D. Nanavati Sr. Vice president (2019), Shri Asit Saha Vice President (2019), Shri Hamza Bin Omer Vice president (2019),Shri N. Phoni Vice president (2019), Shri Neikhrolo Khalo Vice president (2019), Shri Darshan Lal Vice president (2019), Shri Karan Bhushan Singh Vice president (2019), Shri V.N. Prasood Secretary-General (2019), Shri Satya Pal Singh Deshwal Treasurer (2019), Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh Joint Secretary (2019), Shri C.P.Singh Joint Secretary (2019), Shri Aditya Pratap Singh Joint Secretary (2019)Shri Jai Prakash (Olympian) Joint Secretary (2019), Shri M.Loganathan Executive Member (2019), Shri Jagdish Kumar Executive Member (2019), Shri Vishal Singh Executive Member (2019), Shri R.K. Purushotham Executive Member (2019), Shri Prashant Rai Executive Member (2019), Shri Rajnish Kumar Executive Member (2019), Shri P.R.Sondhi Executive Member (2019),Shri Debendra Kumar Sahoo Executive Member (2019) and Shri Ngurthanmawia Executive Member (2019). Giving a voice to women wrestlers by allowing women to take top spots in the leading committees will help to resolve the issues more effectively.
- Lack of Sports Tribunal
As said, "JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED." The system for resolving the sports athlete's issues is not present. The problems related to selection, harassment, and so on must settle by imminence. The recent incident of sexual harassment against women wrestlers is just the tip of the iceberg. The selection case of Amit Dhankar in 2014 was one such. The verdict came in his favor but the tournament was over by then. Another call of a woman coach against the Haryana Sports Minister and former Hockey player Sandeep Singh of the criminal offense in which justice remains undelivered. The case of tennis player Ruchika Girhotra in 1990 is the leading example of unfair justice to sportswomen. The need for sports tribunals is the call of the hour.
- Legislation Approved By Parliament Regarding Dealing with the Grievances of Athletes
The dharna started by the top women wrestlers clearly stated the redressal and grievance provisions laid so far are ineffective. The lack of women grapplers' confidence in the system is visible in their moves. The parliament-approved legislation to address the same is an absolute necessity. How will the matter involving the top authorities and bureaucrats be resolved? The skeletal mechanism for dealing with the same need to be put in place. The system within the federation also needs to be set up. After the voice was raised by the women wrestlers different committees like the sexual harassment committee and the grievance redressal committee have been set up to deal with the cases. But the urgent need is to get legislation by parliament holding control over all.
WAYS OF SETTLING ISSUES
- Authorities should be more responsive to whom they represent rather than to puissant people. The irony being the ones who are supposed to be the backbone of the sportswomen are misusing their position and power.
- Bathing in the glory of sportswomen is easy but providing them the support for making brave moves like breaking the silence on the life mat is a tough one to make.
- The appointed members of the Oversight Committee should remain unbiased and take the necessary steps as the life of many wrestlers will be on the brim.
- The further selection of the executive committee members should not be for political benefit but for the advancement and betterment of the ambiance and for bringing positivity among the wrestlers.
- The disagreement over the appointed members in the oversight committee by wrestlers should be resolved and the committee should be made by getting wrestlers doxy.
CONCLUSION
Women wrestlers can unite and raise a strong voice against the wrongdoings of high-octane people like BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. This move set an example for the upcoming generation to raise their voice against injustice. The grapplers work day and night to clinch that one chance to represent their country. Breaking the silence was a big move by the wrestlers. It was done to save the game and future generations from quitting.The boycott of the appointed committee should also be resolved by mutual agreement. To sum up, it can be concluded that the women wrestlers have successfully got themselves on the board and will end up winning the match against the injustice on the life mat.
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References:
- https://indianexpress.com
- https://www.aljazeera.com
- https://www.hindustantimes.com
- https://www.indiatoday.in
- https://www.thehindu.com
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- https://www.livemint.com