Why Indian Wrestlers are Protesting against Brij Bhushan Saran Singh: Know Complete Details Here
Wrestlers protesting against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh over sexual harassment allegations by women wrestlers has entered its third day.
The renewed protest started on 25 April, and on 26 April, the Supreme Court intervened, setting the matter for hearing on 28 April, and issuing a notice to the Delhi police on a petition filed by seven women wrestlers seeking the registration of an FIR against Singh.
The allegations are related to incidents of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against the BJP MP from Kaiserganj in Uttar Pradesh over a 10-year period from 2012 to 2022.
In this article we will take a better look at why Indian Wrestlers are protesting against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. And what all has conspired in the case so far.
Wrestlers resumed protests due to delay in action against Singh and WFI
The wrestlers initially protested in January but called off the strike when they were assured of action against Singh by the committee set up to investigate the allegations against him.
However, the wrestlers resumed their protests after citing a delay in releasing the report of the committee, a lack of faith in the committee, and the absence of action against Singh.
They also expressed their unhappiness that the WFI resumed its activities while the probe was ongoing, and alleged that Singh was still in control of the federation, evidenced by the first national tournament being held in his backyard in Gonda.
The identities of the seven women wrestlers who lodged police complaints against Singh have not been revealed, and the Supreme Court has ordered their names to be redacted from judicial records to protect their identities.
The three wrestlers leading the protests are Olympic bronze medallists Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia and world medallist Vinesh Phogat.
Who is Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh?
Singh is a veteran politician and administrator, having been MP six times, and a self-proclaimed wrestling aficionado. He was associated with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, and according to his 2019 election affidavit, he was named in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
He has held several administrative positions in wrestling, including president of the WFI, vice-president of the Asian Wrestling Federation, and a member of the government’s Mission Olympic Cell.
The wrestlers have made allegations against Singh for financial mismanagement and arbitrariness in the functioning of the WFI. The most serious allegations are related to sexual harassment, with incidents cited as far back as 2012 to as recently as 2022.
The complainants claimed some of the incidents occurred at Singh’s official MP’s bungalow in New Delhi and during tournaments in India and abroad. One of the complainants is a minor.
The report from the Oversight Committee has not yet been made public, but the Sports Ministry has reported that allegations have been made against other federation officials and coaches as well.
Allegations against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and WFI
Allegations emerged in January after Vinesh received calls from young women wrestlers expressing concerns about an unsafe environment at the national camp in Lucknow.
Following the calls, Vinesh, Sakshi, and Bajrang decided to call out Singh and the coaches involved in the harassment. Elite wrestlers Anshu Malik and Sonam Malik also joined the protest.
The wrestlers’ protest highlights the issue of sexual harassment in sports and the lack of action taken against the accused. The delay in the release of the report and the ongoing involvement of Singh in the WFI are also a cause of concern for the wrestlers.
The Supreme Court’s intervention is expected to bring some relief to the wrestlers, who have been demanding justice and action against Singh and others accused of harassment.
