The World Sports Body enters, mentions some of the pointers in the on-going protest, issues a warning, and requests the authorities.
The World Sports Body seems to be disappointed over the ongoing protests and the lack of action upheld by the government on the same. The body condemns the actions and lack of results of the investigation authorities who are undertaking the case. The ongoing protest is turning out to be a crucial point that does need to get redressed as it is tarnishing the image of India in the global scenario. The body requested the authorities to undertake an investigation against the Wrestling Federation of India’s Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is pointed in the present case, over the sexual assault as well as the narcotics involvement in the case.
The World Sports Body and its opinion
The World Sports Body condemns the ongoing protest and issues a request for information about the investigation case as well as a threat to suspend the federation if no general election is upheld within 45 days. The ongoing protest demands actions against the Wrestling Federation of India’s Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of the sexual assault and harassment of the women Indian wrestlers.
United World Wrestling (UWW) has also condemned the act of detention and avoided solving the burning issue in the country. It raises worries about the act of government and detaining the wrestlers while the inauguration ceremony of the new parliament has been happening. It condemns how international-level players are treated and condemned in the country.
The body demands deep and thorough research and investigation in the protest case. It is important to address these issues as they are tarnishing and weakening the country’s image in international representation. United World Wrestling may lead to the suspension of the federation if no action is taken to resolve the case.
Developments till now in the protest
As the protest began, female wrestlers raised the issue of sexual harassment as well as narcotics issues involved in the wrestling game and against the Wrestling Federation of India’s Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. They are further joined by several male counterparts to support them in their struggle for justice.
They tried to uphold their views and raise their voice in several manners, as during the new parliament‘s inauguration, the protesters organised “Maha Panchayat” against the WFI chief. But they were not well addressed with their issues; instead, they were treated and harassed by the police. Following the same, the wrestlers decide to give their medals they have earned during the tournaments in the Ganga River at Haridwar. Following the same, they were given some concessions by the Kisan Union Chief to wait for before doing the same.
Reason for protest
As women wrestlers, we face several issues in the field of wrestling when it comes to sports, and in sports like wrestling, the female counterparts suffer more due to the nature of the sport. A female sportsperson faces a lot of challenges, including discrimination, illness, and unequal opportunities. They sometimes do turn out to be victims of sexual assault and harassment.
The same female wrestlers of the Wrestling Federation of India also faced the same challenges of violence and sexual assault during the games and tournaments. One of the minor wrestlers learned about the sexual assault case against the chief of the body, registered a FIR against him, and wanted him to get arrested under the Protection of Children and Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act. With a demand to remove him from the designation of president and dissolve the federation.
