Star Indian wrestler Bajrang Punia has warned against posting a morphed photograph of fellow protesting grapplers Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat that shows them smiling while detained by the police. Punia hit out at the ‘IT cell’ for spreading the morphed picture and threatened to file a complaint against those found posting the photograph on social media.
Several wrestlers and their supporters were detained by the Delhi Police as they tried to march towards the new Parliament building demanding the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing women grapplers, including a minor. The wrestlers had called for a women ‘Mahapanchayat’ on Sunday for which they did not have permission.
The police personnel dragged the protesters away and pushed them into buses to take them to unknown locations. Amid criticism of the Delhi Police, which is under the control of the Union home ministry, a photograph of the smiling Phogat sisters inside a bus started doing rounds on social media, with users alluding that they were not serious about their protest.
Bajrang posted two photos – one morphed and the other real – on Twitter. In the original photograph, the Phogat sisters and other detained wrestlers are wearing serious expressions while smiling in the altered photograph. “IT cell people are spreading this fake picture. We make it clear that a complaint will be filed against whoever posts this fake picture,” Bajrang Punia tweeted.
While women detainees were released later in the evening, opposition parties slammed the central government over the alleged “manhandling” of wrestlers. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said that the “arrogant king is crushing the voice of the people” on the streets as the “coronation” is over and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it is “shameful our champions are treated in this manner.”
The athletes’ protest comes amid a rising wave of similar protests demanding justice for women. The protesting sportspersons were detained by the Delhi Police on Sunday as they marched towards the new parliament building in order to demand the arrest of a top wrestling official who they allege has sexually harassed women wrestlers over the years. The government has taken notice of the allegations, but has yet to arrest or dismiss the official, resulting in protests.
The allegations of sexual misconduct against senior officials in Indian sports bodies have cast a shadow over the country’s Olympics preparations amid calls from across the board for a serious clean-up of sports administration. The decision to move the athletes village to a school building due to COVID-19-triggered restrictions has also been criticised for its poor facilities. Earlier this month, India’s ace shuttler PV Sindhu had also raised concerns about the lack of basic facilities in Indian sports infrastructure.
India has a long history of excelling in sports, and many athletes who have achieved global recognition have come from modest backgrounds. However, these remarkable sportspeople face a struggle to get the facilities they need to train and perform at the highest levels, while facing institutional apathy towards their struggles or worse, outright harassment. The allegations of impropriety against senior officials may have triggered the protests, but the disillusionment runs deep and it may take more than a statement or apology to set things right.
The government needs to take the allegations seriously and work towards creating an environment that allows athletes to focus on their sport and not face harassment or discrimination. The athletes themselves must also continue to raise their voices and press for change, so that no young athlete has to face the kind of abuse and exploitation that they have been subjected to.
In the end, it is the athlete’s hard work, dedication and talent that brings glory to the nation, and it is high time they are given the respect and support they deserve. It is time for the government and sports administration to step up and help strengthen the foundation on which Indian sports rests. They must help build a brighter future for generations of athletes to come by bringing accountability and transparency to the system, and providing a safe and supportive environment for sportspersons to excel in their chosen domains.
