Wrestling stars who have made India proud at global stages including the Olympics are on strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mandar demanding action against the severe sexual harassment they have faced. There is a demand for action against the president of the national association, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is also a BJP MP. Sports stars from all fields including cricket in the country have come forward to support them and demand action against Brij Bhushan. In the meantime, the shocking reaction of PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association, brought to the Rajya Sabha by the BJP, was taken up by the media and later by the social media. The ex-Olympian’s accusation was that the strike did not harm the country’s image and that it was indiscipline to accuse Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment.
However, Sandeep Dwivedi, a leading media person, says that they would have been able to understand the situation if they had gone to the Jantar Mandar, which is not far from his residence in Delhi, and inquired about the situation. Below are relevant passages from his article in the Indian Express:
Brij Bhushan is not the first to face a sexual harassment complaint filed by seven wrestlers, including a minor. TADA is accused of harboring associates of Dawood Ibrahim in the 90s. He is facing court proceedings in several cases ranging from violation of Arms Act to attempted murder. In other words, he does not fit the poster boy image of never being blemished.
Usha’s reaction came a day after World Championship medalist Vinesh Phogat came out against the reluctance of other sportspersons to speak out against those in power. The former star, who should have been a comfort to those who were struggling in the struggle arenas, but left them humiliated.
Usha’s question was why the Olympic Association was not approached like Arishampunda because family secrets were exposed. If they tried even a little to understand the issue, they would understand why the actors have no faith in such a system.
It has been three months since the sports ministry set up a committee headed by boxing legend Mary Kom to investigate the sexual harassment complaint. Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt is a member of the committee. However, one thing is enough to know what will happen. Like Usha, Mary Kom has been given a ticket to the Rajya Sabha by Brij Bhushan, who is also a member of the BJP. Dutt has contested elections for BJP. Still remains the party’s young star in campaigns.
The government released the ‘main recommendations’ of the report submitted by the Mary Kom committee, but did not speak about sexual harassment, which is the main subject of the complaint. Even after approaching the Delhi Police about the same, nothing happened. Detailed complaints also did not help. When nothing happened they were dragged to Jantar Mandar.
At least at this point, the Indian Olympic Association, as the big body of athletes, should have intervened. Usha was responsible here. They wanted to protect the stars so that the big wound of sexual harassment is not repeated.
The queen of the 80s track had no committees to complain to back then. Eminent people have shared that even in the past, becoming a female sports star was not the other way around. The experience of being alone in academies and having to travel long distances with male coaches will force many to quit their careers. The question of the stars is how Usha, who knew all this, is indifferent.
Brij Bhushan has been at the helm of the wrestling association for over a decade. India’s performance, including in the Olympics, has been promising during his tenure. But even the Mary Kom committee pointed out fundamental issues – including the lack of an internal body to complain to. The main complaint is that Brij Bhushan really behaves like a dictator. Usha should have been able to solve all this. That’s what they deleted.
2023-04-29 05:47:23
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