Allegations of women wrestlers – uttamhindu.com

Prime Minister Narendra When Modi was speaking at the inauguration of ‘Sansad Khel Mahakumbh’ on Wednesday, he was saying that ‘there was a time when sports were counted as an extra-curricular activity. That is, it was considered only a means of time pass apart from studies. He said, ‘The children were also told and taught the same. Due to this, generation after generation, a mindset has been instilled in the society that sports are not so important. He is not a part of life and future. This mentality has caused a huge loss to the country. He said, ‘How many capable youths, how many talents remained away from the field.

On the other hand, on Wednesday in the country’s capital, Indian Wrestling Association president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, sitting on a dharna at Jantar Mantar, female wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who has represented the country in many international competitions including Olympics and won medals, cried. Serious allegations of sexual abuse have been made. Wrestlers protesting in Delhi have demanded intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. At the same time, the Union Sports Ministry has asked the WFI to respond within 72 hours. Two-time world championship and three-time Commonwealth Games medalist Vinesh, who was staging a sit-in 200 meters away from Brij Bhushan’s MP residence, alleged that the Speaker has been sexually harassing women wrestlers for many years. Many women wrestlers who have participated in the national camp in Lucknow have been exploited by the coaches. There are also some coaches who approach wrestlers and then pass them on to the WFI president. I have not faced this kind of exploitation but it has happened to some women wrestlers sitting in this dharna as well. He claimed that he had received death threats from WFI officials at the behest of Brij Bhushan because he had informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the dispute with the association during the Tokyo Olympics. She said that I know at least 10-12 women wrestlers who have told me about sexual harassment by the WFI president. I cannot name them now but if we meet the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, I will bring those names to the fore. Why is the camp of women wrestlers always held in Lucknow? This is because Brij Bhushan’s home is in Lucknow and it is convenient for him to indulge in such antics. Bajrang Punia said that the WFI is being run arbitrarily and the players sitting here will not participate in any competition until the president is removed. Till then our protest will also continue. Our fight is not with the central government or the Sports Authority of India. This is a fight to save Indian wrestling. Apart from Bajrang, Vinesh, Sakshi, 30 wrestlers including World Championship medalist Sarita Mor, Sangeeta Phogat, Satyawart Malik, Jitendra Kinha, Commonwealth Games medalist Sumit Malik were involved in this strike.

Wrestling Association President Brij Bhushan says that there is no truth in the allegations against me. I am ready to go to the gallows if even a single case of sexual harassment is proved. An industrialist is behind this conspiracy against me. Why didn’t Vinesh contact the police or me when he received death threats. The matter should be investigated by CBI or any investigative agency, the truth will come out.

According to informed sources, the spark that was smoldering for months between the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and some wrestlers has become a flame ahead of the elections. WFI elections are due next month and Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh wants to put his son Prateek Sharan Singh on the post of president. Questioning the timing of the entire protest, a WFI official said that the matter should be probed. Action should be taken against whoever is guilty. The wrestlers who have problems with the current president do not want their authority to remain on it in the coming times. Brij Bhushan has also pointed towards a big industrialist associated with sports in this matter. It is known that there is already a dispute between WFI and some wrestlers on things like sponsors, not taking them in the team without playing in the national competition. The WFI has made a rule that if a wrestler wants to sign a deal with a sponsor, he must first get permission from the federation. Apart from this, the wrestlers will be selected in the national team only when they win in the national wrestling competition. Many wrestlers are angry with these rules. Olympic medalist Bajrang, sitting on the dharna, also made allegations regarding this. He said that new rules are made in WFI and then changed. Brijbhushan abuses. The money given by Tata Motors as a sponsor was eaten by the WFI people. How Vinod Tomar, who worked there, made a property worth about Rs 20 crore. Earlier sponsors used to come to us but now they are not coming due to the new rules. The wrestler who protests is banned.

Seeing the seriousness of the matter, the level at which female wrestlers have made allegations and international level male wrestlers have also come in their support, the Union Sports Ministry has asked the Wrestling Federation to respond within 72 hours. One thing should be understood by the Union Sports Ministry that this situation arises only when there is a monopoly of the Mathadhis on the sports federations and the players come in a puppet-like situation. The other woman comes forward only when she sees a well on one side and a ditch on the other. Getting to the root of the allegations leveled by women wrestlers and giving justice to women wrestlers should be a priority, along with changing the patriarchal position in the Indian Wrestling Association is also the need of the hour. Whether it is in politics or in sports associations, the father-son game proves to be harmful in the end.

– Irwin Khanna (Chief Editor, Dainik Uttam Hindu)